Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn has suggested the Minister of Health, Jeffrey Bostic, should resign over the failed attempt by a private sector concern to procure coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines for Barbados.
Speaking during debate on the Prevention of Corruption Bill 2021 on Wednesday, Franklyn described the deal as a “$24 million red herring”, which he said had elsewhere been termed “Vaccinegate”.
He was critical of the manner in which the attempt was made to acquire the vaccines and told the Senate: “I saw a letter . . . signed by a Permanent Secretary purporting to do the job of the Chief medical Officer – because the Chief medical Officer would be the person who is in charge to order these vaccines and then he would send it to Government Procurement Department. Then the chief supply officer . . . would do the necessary to get the thing here.”
Franklyn also said he had seen a report in which the Minister of Health was quoted as saying he did not know about the entire arrangement.
“It pains me to say that he should resign,” the outspoken Opposition senator said.
He, however, supported the bill saying it was timely and needed, while commending Minister of Tourism Senator Lisa Cummins on her presentation when she led off the debate. (GC)
