NEWS STATEMENT

OCTOBER 11, 2001

Bradley B. Roberts

Members of Parliament

NEW QUESTIONS ON

PADDING OF BUS CONTRACT

I wish to invite the “incorruptible” Minister of Education to provide answers to the following questions regarding a Bus Contract awarded to a Mr. Alexander Pratt, a Vice Chairman of the FNM who resides at Rum Cay Villas in Freeport, Grand Bahamas.

Will the Minister confirm that a Bus Contract was awarded to Mr. Alexander Pratt to transport 400 children to the Maurice Moore Primary School in Freeport, Grand Bahama in the High Rock Constituency?

Will the Minister confirm or deny that Mr. Alexander Pratt was paid to transport 600 children when in fact he was transporting 400 children?

Will the Minister confirm or deny that a massive rip-off of the public treasury has occurred as a result of this alleged padding of the Bussing contract?

Will the Minister tell the Bahamian people if any Minister of the Government has sought or has benefited from this alleged padded Bus Contract rip-off.

Will the Minister confirm that an investigation is currently being conducted by the Internal Auditors of the Government?

Finally, will the Minister confirm that it was he who approved the Bus Contract for Mr. Alexander Pratt?

I anxiously await the Minister’s answers.