(Statement) The Free National Movement along with Bahamians everywhere condemn in the strongest terms the inappropriate behavior and shameful display of arrogance by the co-chairs of the government’s Urban Renewal, Small Home Repair Programme.

The Prime Minister must take full responsibility for the actions of the persons he appointed to lead what he deems to be his legacy programme. Consequently, he is obligated to cause the co-chairs to comply with the legitimate request to account for public funds and at the same time, respect the authority of the senior public officer who is required by law to cause individuals to account for public funds.

It is simply unacceptable and improper for the Honorable Prime Minister to sit idly by twiddling his thumbs and remain silent while the Auditor General is being attacked for doing his constitutional job by persons he appointed.

Bahamians everywhere would recall that only last week while making a speech at a Heads of Government Conference in Panama; Prime Minister Christie spoke passionately about the need to prevent the brain drain in developing countries, to go to the developed world. The Prime Minister in this speech demonstrated that he was patently aware of the possible negative impact that disrespect and insolence play in the minds of professionals (especially by politicians and their operatives), if they were to consider leaving The Bahamas to seek employment elsewhere. So, he has no excuse this time. To allow his Co-chairs to unleash an unprecedented attack on the Auditor General is reprehensible and therefore, unacceptable to every Bahamian.

The Prime Minister knows that the Auditor General of The Bahamas is a consummate professional and a man of great integrity. And, as such, he would have provided a report based on the documents presented to him by the Permanent Secretary. His duty therefore, was to ensure that all of the necessary financial protocols were observed and to report his findings. The Auditor General did just that.

The reports, according to the media identified and highlighted many weaknesses in the area of disbursement of the tax payer’s monies, and the lack of accountability, and transparency in the use of public funds as well as in the execution of the programme.

Instead of acknowledging the weaknesses and taking the required steps to strengthen the systems outlined in the report, the government through two of its senior employees immediately and unfairly unleashed a wicked and unfair personal attack on the Auditor General and his staff. They branded the report as “nit-picking, unfair, and a slight to the poor.”

The Prime Minister, the former Deputy Prime Minister and the former Minister know quite well that it is NOT the duty or the role of the Auditor General to consider the role or philosophy of the Small Home Repair Programme. He is mandated to examine and carefully account for how the public monies are disbursed and spent. Consequently, the Auditor General should not have been dragged into this fabricated controversy for doing his job, especially since he cannot defend himself publically like the Co-chairs.

This despicable action by the Co-chairs and the government has given the impression to all, that professionals such as the Auditor General are only respected if they present reports that are favorable to the government. If the reports are not favorable, the PLP has shown that they are all prepared to unleash wicked personal attacks on any such professional to deflect from the truth.

This is a dangerous standard to set. We cannot allow this to go unchallenged. Our democracy depends on our actions. We must all push back on this style of governance.

The Co-chairs must at least apologize to the Bahamian people. The Prime Minister must demonstrate that he is a democrat. He must do the right thing to save our good name and restore confidence in the many professional public officers.