mckellbonaby

The controversy surrounding McKell Bonaby is about the $141 million spent under his watch at the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority, and about credibility and accountability.

When the Progressive Liberal Party came to government, Bonaby criticized spending under Shanendon Cartwright, the previous chairman of the authority, which was $84,288,232 over four years in office. The PLP framed it as misuse and even suggested the Authority was being treated like a “slush fund.” That framing set a high bar for transparency and discipline on their part.

Now, with even higher levels of spending under Bonaby’s tenure, what standard is being applied today?

After months of long silences and avoiding the press on the issue, Bonaby now argues that the funds have been used to build capacity and stimulate economic activity through small contractors. But many Bahamians see the poor condition of public parks in many communities and unclean streets.

This creates a credibility gap. If spending has significantly increased, but the public can not see any visible results, and many are asking just how much was spent and how effectively the money was used.

Another layer of concern is transparency. Without clear, accessible accounting made public, Bahamians are left to rely on Bonaby’s assurances rather than evidence.

This fuels suspicion and a vacuum where trust should be.

Ultimately, this says more about Bonaby’s leadership style. Leadership at his level requires demonstrating results and maintaining public confidence.

The primary questions are, where did the money go, and does the public believe Bonaby, whatever his response may be, just now?

Featured Pictures: The Nassau Guardian

Leader of the Free National Movement Michael Pintard suggested that the government is seeking to underhandedly victimize FNM contract workers by releasing a damning report against the former chairman of the Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority Shanendon Cartwright.

In a weekly press conference on Sunday afternoon, Pintard called on the government to be upfront with its intention about the report, which suggested malfeasance by Cartwright when he served in the position and issued contracts.

“We are asking the government to be honest with its intention because it does appear that much of the narrative that’s being put out relative to this authority, is to set the stage for the cancellation of contracts held by who they believe to be Free National Movement supporters,” he said.

“While I am not prophetic, I would suggest that if we were to look at the list today and look at the list one or two months from now, those persons who are calling them who belong to the PLP family are likely to have those contracts renewed, which would suggest that much of the narrative being shared in the public to muddy the water is about creating a pretext to eliminate one group of Bahamians from holding contracts to replace with another group of Bahamians holding contracts,” Pintard said.

Why it matters

At the crux of the matter, hundreds of contract workers who were employed under the previous administration are awaiting payment for work done on parks and beaches. It is reported that they have not been paid since July.

Big story

On Friday, the authority now under the leadership of a new director, McKell  Bonaby released a report claiming various perceived irregularities with the issuance of contracts stating that the former chairman’s signature was signed by three different people, contracts were missing, and identification of contract holders were not on file.

Since being sworn into government, the PLP has canceled the contracts under the previous administration, citing the irregularities and even stating that the budget for the authority had ballooned its budget.

What Shanendon Cartwright says

Cartwright is fighting back stating “procedures were followed” when he was chairman and he will respond when the government’s assessment is completed.

Pintard added that the Opposition will respond “line-by-line” when the full report is released in January.