MP Makes Claim on BEC Cleaning Contract

Thu, Jan 24th 2013, 10:53 AM

East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest claimed yesterday the government terminated a contract with Frank Hanna cleaning company to clean the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) and awarded a higher contract to a company owned by a relative of a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) senator. Turnquest, who was speaking in the House of Assembly, criticized the Christie administration for "wasting" public funds in various ways, including "granting of contracts to politically connected individuals".

Turnquest claimed the contract was awarded to the Cleaning Center for $62,500, which he said is "substantially" more than the previous contract. "I understand that he's been doing a terrible job and he might have been terminated yesterday or it will be terminated very shortly," Turnquest said. BEC Executive Chairman Leslie Miller, who rose on a point of order, denied the claim that the new contract was more lucrative. However, he did not state whether the contract was given to the relative of a PLP senator.

"The existing contract for cleaning one of the areas at BEC was not given at a higher price than the contract that Mr. Frank Hanna had. It was not. It was in fact lower. I just want to make that clear," he said. But Turnquest insisted that the new contract was worth more than the one granted to Frank Hanna. Attempting to prove his claim that the Cleaning Center's work has been substandard, Turnquest held up a picture of dirty bathroom stalls and the lobby at BEC's headquarters.

 Turnquest further claimed that Frank Hanna cleaning company has been brought back in to clean up the corporation's facilities. "As we talk about spending we have to ensure that we get value for money and we are not wasting public funds," he said.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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