Investigation into the awarding and execution of Bermuda Government contracts
In recent years there have been many allegations of corruption by members, and affiliates, of the elected members of the House Of Assembly.
These allegations and more are exacerbated by a lack of information, transparency and accountability within the public sector; including intimidation of the Auditor General, media and anyone who dares to speak out on perceived irregularities.
With the announcement today that the Auditor General has found serious irregularities with the TCD Emissions testing centre project, and Ministerial Interference, combined with previous irregularites on the Police/Court building project, we call upon the Foreign Affairs Committee to convene a Commission of Inquiry to investigate these grave concerns. with the recommended terms of reference set out below.
Terms of Reference
To inquire into whether there is evidence of corruption in relation to the awarding and execution of Bermuda Government contracts by past and present elected members of the Bermuda House of Assembly in recent years.
(a) Initiating criminal investigations by the police or otherwise
(b) identify any indications of systemic weaknesses in legislation, regulation and administration
(c) any other matters relating thereto.
In relation to (a), the Commission is directed to refer such information and/or evidence it may obtain to the Bermuda prosecuting authorities.
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We the undersigned over the past few years have witnessed a slow eroding of basic human rights and respect of individual opinions, together with numerous allegations of corruption from our elected members of parliament.
Many Bermudians do not know what to do. We talk and complain privately about our concerns but most of us are afraid to "stick our necks out " to address them for fear of recriminations.
The allegations giving rise to our concerns are:
- Corruption
- Cronyism
- Planning Violations
- Disregard for environmental impact
- Secretive land/hotel/building deals
- Suppression of the media
The Foreign Affairs Committee touched upon some of these concerns in their Overseas Territory Report of 2007-2008. Their recommendations for the Government to investigate itself re the Bermuda Housing Corporation Issue is a non-starter and is unlikely to be fulfilled.
Therefore the purpose of this petition is to protect the fundamental rights of every Bermudian and urge the Foreign Affairs Commitee to fulfill its responsibility in protecting those rights by convening a Commission of Inquiry.
