Представитель профсоюза на Багамах сообщил о попытке взятки от подрядчика энергокомпании

Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) President Kyle Wilson has claimed that an outside contractor of Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) attempted to bribe him. Wilson’s report to the BPL CEO on the matter earlier this year triggered an internal investigation into alleged corrupt practices within the state-owned power provider. Wilson said the bribery attempt was witnessed by several BPL colleagues, who signed his letter reporting the matter. He claimed that those individuals who were involved in confirming the incident have in recent times been subjected to victimization. BPL did not address the explosive claims directly, but the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation said it was aware of Wilson’s statements. “The ministry will speak directly with the union’s representatives to better understand the concerns raised and to determine the appropriate next steps,” the ministry said. “The ministry’s focus is on ensuring that concerns are addressed through proper channels with respect for all parties involved and with the interests of BPL employees and the Bahamian public at the center.” It has been roughly four months since Wilson formally reported the matter to BPL CEO Toni Pratt. He did so in a letter dated March 9, 2026. Wilson advised her that the attempt to bribe him took place in June 2025 during a visit to a BPL site in New Providence. The union leader stated that while there, he stepped away to the side of the facility where a group of employees had gathered and were asking about the purpose of the visit. He stated that at that time, an unknown individual who had accompanied a BPL director approached him and wanted to speak with him. He said the man introduced himself and told him, “Mr. President, you’re straight. Don’t worry about overtime or anything — I have that covered in my deal.” Wilson said in his letter to the CEO that he was puzzled by the statement and asked the man to clarify what he meant. He said the individual responded that he “knows the game” and claimed the company would not provide the tools necessary for the work to be completed because they were arranging a deal with him to perform the work instead. Wilson alleged the man then made a claim about his involvement with corrupt practices at BPL, which Wilson said indicated the possibility of “intentional internal sabotage”. He also said the individual told him he could take him on international trips to sporting events, and asked him not to interfere or question anything and to contact him “when I was ready to ‘get something for the boys’”. Wilson wrote, “He assured me that the union members would not suffer any loss and that he would make sure that we were ‘taken care of’. He also stated that he had performed this exact type of job previously.” Wilson stated that several employees who were nearby heard the conversation, and said clearly that they wanted no part of what was being offered by the man. According to Wilson, his manager, Melvin Babbs, who was one of the individuals present, stated, “I genuinely hope you’re not entertaining that, Mr. President.” Senior Technician Wellington Porter shook his head and said, “Wow, I hope this is not what you came here for because we aren’t entertaining that kind of wickedness”, Wilson wrote. He also stated in the letter that Ricardo Riley, a foreman, stated, “Boy, I am not into that.” The union president wrote that he felt “deeply embarrassed and disturbed by this encounter”. He questioned why an unknown individual “felt so comfortable openly suggesting and offering what I perceived to be inducements in exchange for ignoring potential corrupt practices”. Wilson requested that the Office of the CEO initiate an independent and transparent investigation into the matter “within seven business days” of receiving the letter. He wrote, “The BEWU further expects that no employee, witness, or union representative who has provided information regarding this matter will be subjected to any form of retaliation, intimidation, harassment, disciplinary action, or adverse employment consequences as a result of cooperating with or providing testimony during any investigation. Any action perceived as retaliation against the individuals named herein, or any other employees who may come forward with information, will be documented and may form the basis of additional formal complaints and legal action through the appropriate labour, regulator, or judicial channels.” Porter, Babbs and Riley all signed the letter as witnesses to the interaction Wilson had with the contractor. Asked by The Nassau Guardian why he took so long to report the matter to the CEO, Wilson said he had taken other important steps to advise the powers that be, including, as he stated in his letter to the CEO, meeting with Chaplain Dr. Nelson Strachan, and Director Jeff Davis, informing that he wanted “no involvement whatsoever in any such dealings”. “I further informed Director Davis that I would stand firmly against any such practices and that I intend to use my office as union president to challenge and expose any corrupt arrangements involving contractors that threaten the livelihoods of our members,” Wilson said in his letter. He stated that Director Davis advised that the site visit was his first time meeting the individual in question. Wilson said there were serious questions about who invited the purported contractor to observe sensitive BPL operational matters “and who may have led him to believe that he had secured or would secure contracts related” to BPL work. He said certain statements made by the individual suggest corruption within BPL, and that some individuals within the company are complicit. Wilson raised the alleged bribery attempt when he spoke with reporters on Friday. He said, “A year ago, I was offered bribes in the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars to sell out the membership. I refused the bribes. I wrote a letter to the CEO asking for an investigation to take place. I named the names of all the persons who I was told I’d be sharing this money with. “Since then there has never been anything concerning that investigation brought back to the union or brought back to me or any conclusion...” The Nassau Guardian understands that an investigation was being conducted by the internal audit department, but could not confirm the status of it. Wilson confirmed that on March 23, he made a formal statement to the internal investigators after being invited to do so. He said he never heard anything since on the investigation.