FNM leader demands Davis apologize to Larson and COVID Food Program for ‘false attacks’
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Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard accused Prime Minister Philip Davis of using “misinformation” to attack the National Food Distribution Task Force, a pandemic-era program that fed thousands of Bahamian families, calling the Prime Minister’s comments “shameful” and politically motivated.
What Happened:
In a strongly worded statement, Pintard defended the Task Force, which was launched under the former Minnis administration during the height of COVID-19 to ensure no Bahamian went hungry. The program, he said, distributed more than 1.4 million food parcels and vouchers through partnerships with NGOs, churches, and community organizations — making it one of the largest coordinated relief efforts in modern Bahamian history.
Pintard said that instead of commending the effort, Prime Minister Davis “vilified” it, claiming in Parliament in 2023 that there had been “grave mismanagement” and “breathtaking deficiencies” and that millions of dollars had gone missing. He also accused the government of using state power to “intimidate and humiliate” private citizens through arrests and asset seizures tied to the program.
Why It Matters:
The controversy reignited after the Auditor General’s report found that all funds allocated to the Task Force were properly accounted for. The audit report praised the initiative for averting a “potential food security catastrophe.” Pintard said the findings confirm what the FNM had maintained all along — that the Prime Minister’s accusations were “never about accountability, but distraction.”
He also drew attention to what he called “irony,” criticizing the Davis administration for its own “unanswered questions” surrounding financial irregularities, including the $10 million Carmichael Village Development loan.
The big picture:
The clash over the Task Force highlights a broader theme in Bahamian politics — the use of high-profile allegations to frame narratives of corruption and competence between the two major parties.
What’s the Bottom Line:
The FNM is framing the audit report as vindication — proof that its pandemic response was both transparent and effective. Pintard says it’s now time for Davis to “correct the record” and apologize.
