Dear Sir,

After reading The Royal Gazette yesterday (January 4, 2021), I believe that Bermudians should be told why the Department of Child and Family Services is moving from offices paying $300,000 per year into offices that will cost $800,000 per year.

If the new offices are much larger, then there is no problem. If, however, the DCFS is moving into the same-sized space, I think the Bermudian public should be told why this government is throwing away an additional $500,000 per year, particularly as the recipient would be the family of Progressive Labour Party MP Zane DeSilva.

I read, with interest, the comments made today by the Minister of Public Works in defence of this additional cost to the taxpayers. If anyone has any doubt about this move to pay additional rent to someone affiliated with the PLP government, they should take heed of Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch’s final paragraph where he stated, and I quote: “... Make no mistake, more moves will be undertaken and historic wealth that relied on such revenue can expect to be further disappointed as better management of the government estate is applied fairly and evenly”.

I presume he means that government offices renting at present from the so-called “elite” will be moved to offices owned by PLP supporters. This sounds fine and follows the stated intention of the Premier, except that the taxpayers will be expected to foot the bill.

If you are running a government, you should always endeavour to increase revenue and decrease costs, which is not what is happening with this latest move.

BRIDGET M. MARSHALL

Smith’s