Copyright thenassauguardian
Dear Editor, It was both shocking and heartbreaking to read about the ordeal of Susan Larson, former chair of the National Food Distribution Taskforce, on the pages of The Nassau Guardian last week. Bahamians were provided with a glimpse of what happens when politicians abuse their power and make unfounded allegations for political brownie points. We salute the courage of Larson in sharing what must have been a traumatic and horrifying experience for her and her family. No Bahamian should be subject to such a dehumanizing and humiliating experience just because they decided to serve their country. While Larson bore the brunt of the unwarranted attacks, the integrity of reputable organizations such as the Bahamas Feeding Network, the Grand Bahama Food Assistance Committee, Hands for Hunger, IDEA Relief, Lend a Hand Bahamas and One Eleuthera Foundation was also unfairly brought into question by the Davis administration. I am sure most right-thinking Bahamians join me in condemning the attacks and are thankful to Larson, the non-governmental organizations (NGOs), religious groups and volunteers who worked together to meet the food needs of thousands during the COVID pandemic. An abuse of privilegeOver the years, Bahamians have become accustomed to members of Parliament (particularly members of the Progressive Liberal Party) hiding behind the protection of parliamentary privilege to attack private citizens and entities. PLP MPs have been infamous for hurling insults at Bahamians, questioning the mental health of investors, disclosing individuals’ private information and accusing private citizens of serious crimes within the confines of the House of Assembly without fear of consequences or legal action. Prime Minister Philip Davis has perpetuated this unflattering tradition since assuming office in 2021. Davis misspoke and jumped the gun when he prematurely made allegations regarding the task force and food program prior to the completion of a comprehensive audit by the Office of the Auditor General. In doing so, he set the stage for the vilification and demonizing of Larson by seeking to question her integrity and the credibility of NGOs that partnered with the former administration to assist vulnerable Bahamians during one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history. The prime minister charged that “the good work and good intentions of some don’t provide justification for the malfeasance of others” as he attacked people who served Bahamians during one of our darkest moments. His accusations and suggestion that the program was not solely aimed at addressing food insecurity were as damaging as they were preposterous. It is behavior such as this that causes upstanding and respectable Bahamians to avoid public service in general and politics in particular. COVID pandemic and unusual times In order to understand the challenging circumstances under which the task force was formed and food program launched, it is important to reiterate the obvious. To put this in context, the COVID pandemic was a once-in-a-century event that no leader had a precedent or operating manual for. In a twinkle of an eye, nations’ economies shrank significantly as their borders were closed, workers were pushed to the unemployment line and many needed the basic essentials – especially food. In fact it was reported that 57,000 households had registered for food assistance at the height of the pandemic with 474,420 vouchers and 972,191 food parcels distributed during the program. While the former administration was not perfect (and no administration is perfect), the main goal was to save lives and livelihoods. The social assistance program was extensive and the government stimulus package amounted to millions of dollars. The food assistance program was just a part of this massive stimulus package but it was desperately needed. The use of the existing framework of NGOs, the partnership with private sector and the volunteer network made an impossible project a success. Any suggestion that the oversight and management of the program in extraordinary and unusual times with the urgency that the moment demanded ought to be impeccable is irrational, unrealistic and unreasonable. As the auditor general rightly stated, “the task was monumental” and the work of the task force “averted a potential food security catastrophe”. Nevertheless, the task force did its best and successfully fulfilled its mandate as confirmed by the auditor general. Is this a Gestapo nation?The episode involving Larson highlights a disturbing pattern that has emerged during the current PLP administration. Many still recall the heavy-handed approach taken by the government under the guise of tax collection as it sanctioned the invasion of businesses by heavily armed officers only to discover that these companies were not in breach of their tax obligations. Business owners lamented the gestapo tactics employed by the government, which seems to view them as criminals. We are witnessing unprecedented events and dangerous precedents are being set. The role and independence of the Fourth Estate is being challenged, while the organs of the state appear to be used to intimidate or silence private citizens. In spite of one’s political affiliation, it is difficult to ignore the blatant abuse of power and failure to follow due process where there is suspicion or an allegation of impropriety. After all, we are still a country of laws that upholds the rule of law. Implications and vindicationAn important component that seems to have been missed in this discourse is the impact that the damaging allegations have had not just on the NGOs named and the individuals that operate them but also on their reputation in the eyes of the global community, donors, international partners and the populace. The Davis administration stopped short of branding participants in the program as thieves and dishonest individuals. This is not how a grateful government and nation treats people who made enormous sacrifices in service to our people. In addition to the bad treatment meted out to Larson, this writer is aware that other NGOs were treated like criminals during the same period as their premises were raided, offices ransacked and staff interrogated. Contrary to Davis’ and the PLP’s assertions, the auditor general’s report effectively confirmed that all the funds allocated to the program were properly spent and accounted for while commending the initiative for achieving its objectives in providing food to vulnerable families to ensure no one went hungry during the pandemic. In this regard, the report vindicated the individuals and entities whose reputation the Davis administration sought to tarnish. Sadly, the damage albeit not irreparable has been done with at least one of the NGOs closing shop due to the controversy created by the current administration. Sorry seems to be the hardest wordIn the aftermath of the tabling of the auditor general’s report, the question on the lips of Bahamians is this: Will the prime minister apologize? Amidst calls for an apology, the communications director in the Office of the Prime Minister was quick to state that Davis will not be apologizing, but a statement will be issued in due course. It was not surprising that the nation’s leader was not disposed to issuing a formal apology with the same energy he used to launch unwarranted attacks on Larson, NGOs and volunteers in the program. Only a few weeks ago, Davis launched a personal and distasteful attack on Candia Dames – a seasoned and respected journalist in the country – for simply stating the facts and referring to comments he actually made about the deficit projection for April 2025. Despite glaring video and audio evidence showing that Davis was wrong, he doubled down to deny the obvious and refused to apologize. Over the last four years, we have also seen the prime minister refuse to take responsibility and apologize for his missteps, choosing instead to throw his colleagues under the proverbial bus or deflecting and distracting the attention of the electorate. This can only lead us to conclude that Elton John must have had Davis in mind when he sang the song “Sorry seems to be the hardest word”. – Arinthia S. Komolafe
