In her response to the budget of June 2015 leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley gave impetus to the Cahill Energy debate when she shocked the country with the revelation that four ministers (Darcy Boyce, Denis Kellman, Chris Sinckler and Denis Lowe) had signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Cahill Energy dated 15 March 2014.
Signatures of Ministers Boyce, Kellman, Sinckler and Lowe on the Power Purchase Agreement
The government defended (not very well) the agreement with the Claire Cowan Cahill Energy company, however, subsequent events have proved the Fruendel Stuart led government withheld vital information from Barbadians.
Barbadians were NOT told that on the 13 September 2013 Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart signed a Heads of Terms Agreement related to Cahill Energy that committed the government to specific deliverables which have cost and legal implication for Barbados. For example, clause 5 of the agreement reads as follows:
Clause 5 of the Heads of Term Agreement
Why did the Prime Minister remain silent on the matter of his involvement during the June 2015 budget debate? Why did he not defend Minister Denis Lowe – who had lead responsibility – and the other ministers who were heavily criticized for their involvement with Cahill Energy?
Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart’s signature next to Clare Cownan, CEO of Cahill Energy
What adds to the Cahill intrigue is the letter (parts 1,2) signed by Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart dated 3 March 2014 addressed to Clare Cowan advising that Cabinet approval was obtained and the agreement with Cahill had been submitted to the Solicitor General’s Office as part of the required due diligence process.
In 2013 Prime Minister Stuart in his head to head with Owen Arthur won the debate on the matter of who was perceived to have greater integrity by the public. The Cahill Energy transaction has given justification to those who now question the honesty of our prime minister. The public announcement last week by Minister Denis Lowe – forced by the No Confidence Motion – is not the final chapter in the book titled ‘Governance‘.
