Opposition Calls for Transparency in Public Contract Tendering Amid NHI Expansion

Leader of Opposition Moses “Shyne” Barrow says he’s calling on the Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, Henry Usher, to be more transparent. In his presentation on Wednesday, Barrow commented on several matters, including what he says is a lack of transparency in the tendering of public contracts.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “This is the government that came in here and did a motion for good governance. The member from Fort George who is also illegally employed at Holy Redeemer Credit Union, I hope that we are going to do something about that. I hope that is going to go to the Privilege Committee or to the Ethics Committee, Madam Speaker. But this same member invited me to a ribbon cutting for training of anti-corruption of the public officers, Madam Speaker. This is a government that said we are going to do better and we are going to rid this country of the scourge of corruption, Madam Speaker. So give us the information. Tell us who is bidding. Tell us when the tender process begins and concludes, Madam Speaker, so that there is no void, there is no absence of information which may lead to accusations that are unfounded. I grant you that. But you need to do better to make sure that the information, Madam Speaker, is disclosed to the public. Transparency is key.”