Amid heightened criticism, Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday dodged questions over why a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) candidate is giving out $200 to $500 vouchers for “Hurricane Dorian relief” to voters in Abaco and why the government decided to absorb the electricity bills of residents on Grand Cay and Moore’s Island.
It was reported last week that the government purchased more than $200,000 worth of gift cards from Premier Importers Limited, all funded by the Ministry of Finance, and those gift cards were distributed in the name of the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) Central and South Abaco candidate Bradley Fox Jr.
Fox and Preston Roberts, the PLP’s campaign coordinator and a Disaster Reconstruction Authority board member, were said to have distributed the vouchers.
The Tribune reported that Chris Llieda, chief executive officer of Premier Imports, claimed that the vouchers to his company for residents in Abaco were issued at the request of the Ministry of Finance as part of post-Dorian relief, and the total value of those vouchers exceeded $200,000 and certificates were issued in amounts of $200, $300, and $500.
The PLP’s lead election attorney, Valentine Grimes, told the Tribune that he was not familiar with the particular circumstances of this case, but insisted the party would not use taxpayer funds for items distributed by the party.
According to Grimes, Fox said the signature on the vouchers was not his own.
However, Davis remained silent when asked who authorized the vouchers and for a response to public concern, which has intensified following the revelation and the additional news that the government has been clearing electricity bills for qualified residents on Grand Cay and Moore’s Island, Abaco.
The government confirmed that officials are wiping bills for those impacted by long-standing billing issues that came about following Dorian and were intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that those balances were caused by circumstances “beyond the control of ordinary consumers,” and the clearing of those bills is the “fairest course” to handle the situation.
As the relief efforts come just a short time before the May 12 general election and a long time following the hurricane, many have raised questions regarding the government’s intentions and scrutinized the use of public funds.
Chairman of the Free National Movement (FNM) Dr. Duane Sands referred to the situation as alarming and called out the Davis administration for using taxpayer funds to “induce voters to vote for the PLP.”
FNM Candidate for North Abaco Terrece Bootle said the PLP has failed to deliver on promises made to the island of Abaco and accused the government of now using last-minute efforts to secure support.
She questioned why there was not a sustained and properly planned commitment to rebuild Abaco during the PLP’s term in office and urged residents to remain aware of political strategies.
