Garden Hills Stalwart Councilors Appreciation Luncheon and comments of NIB Saga

Lynden Pindling Center Farrington Rd Nassau Bahamas

SALUTATIONS

It is a pleasure for me to be among such vivacious freedom fighters and front line soldiers in the cause of the great Progressive Liberal Party. We know that our fight is not yet over as too many of our people are still hurting. We must continue to wipe every tear from every eye. The fight for social justice, a level playing field, economic justice and expanded opportunities for all Bahamians endures. This fight is as relevant today as it was in 1967 therefore we must not faint in our resolve to create a more perfect Commonwealth and the best little country on earth.

My brothers and sisters, Stalwart Councilors are the bedrock of the PLP for it were these brave souls who carried the party’s banner and kept the party’s spirit alive when it was risky to do so and the threat of economic victimization and bodily harm was very real prior to 1967. You believed in the principles on which the PLP stood and your philosophical grounding sustained you through these many years.

Many of you fought alongside other heroines such as Her Excellency Beryl Hanna, Dame Marguerite Pindling, Dame Dr. Doris Johnson, Mrs. Effie Walks, Peggy Francis and former Senator Teleta Strachan in the women’s suffrage movement. This grassroots movement that started after the 1949 general elections with Mary Ingraham and a rainbow coalition of women from all walks of life culminated with the women’s right to vote on 26th November 1962. We all know about Ruby Ann Cooper as she was known at that time who made history as the first women to register to vote. Mrs. Ivy Mackey made history as the first woman to cast her vote on 26th November 1962.

The momentum that these women generated catapulted this country to Majority Rule in 1967 and Independence in 1973. Women have gone on to play significant and pivotal roles in the political, economic and social development of The Bahamas. The 50th Anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement was celebrated recently by our Parliament where a communication written by Dr. Doris Johnson was read into the permanent records of the House of Assembly. I say to you that it is never too late to do the right thing and I salute the suffragettes for their indomitable spirit and the female parliamentarians who participated in that historic joint sitting of Parliament.

For the sake of posterity I must acknowledge that my Mother’s Mother Maude Faustina Albury (nee Brooks), a native of Nicholls Town Andros, was one of the signatures on the petition that was presented to the House of Assembly by Dr. Doris Johnson.

Some of you sitting here today or some of your family members were a part of that journey, though unheralded, but your contributions made it happen and I salute you for your valor under great pressure and against considerable odds.

I also extend my sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude to you Stalwarts who went to battle for the PLP in the recent general elections that not only returned your beloved party to the reins of government for a seventh non-consecutive term, but elected one of our new generation leaders who is the Honorable speaker of the House of Assembly.

The Hon. Dr. Kendal Major could not have succeeded without your collective organizational and strategic skills of electioneering. I ask that you continue to stand by and support Dr. Major as he works closely with and on behalf of the good people of Garden Hills to create the programs and complete the projects designed to make the constituency of Garden Hills stronger, more united and the envy of the nation. Dr. Major has demonstrated in short order that he has the capacity to be a great Speaker and has equipped himself with great distinction. Garden Hills I know you are very proud of your MP as indeed is the rest of the Bahamas.

As Chairman, I have always had an open door policy and to date nothing has changed my brothers and sisters. I am prepared to do whatever I can within the authority of my office to assist you in Garden Hills in achieving your objectives.

National Insurance Saga

I would be remiss if I failed to touch briefly on the National Insurance Board issue involving suspended Director Cargill and Board Chairman the Hon. Greg Moss MP. Thus far the newspapers have been sharing only Cargill's side of the story. There is an old saying that there are at least two sides to a story. As you aware Prime Minister Christie has referred the various allegations for review and action by the no nonsense Attorney General Allyson Gibson and Minister Shane Gibson has directed the engagement of a Forensic Audit of NIB.

We shall await the outcome of both.

In the meantime I wish to share with you some information that has come to my attention that you may find to be of interest and may I add that I have been assured of its accuracy. Mr. Cargill's income and benefits are the highest of any position in the Government System over the past two years, BAR NONE.

NIB Salary $178,000:00

Gas Allowance $12,000:00

Duty Allowance $13,000:00

Executive Bonus $97,345:00

Directors Fees:

Com Brewery Ltd

Cable Bahamas

Bank of Bahamas $393,000:00

The Minister with the responsibility for NIB was Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham who employed Mr. Cargill. I am advised that at least two former NIB Board members have disclosed that approval of very generous Executives Bonuses was not made by the Board. The burning question for which an answer is being sought is this: Who gave the approval and the rationale for this compensation package totaling almost $400,000 for a corporation director?! Inquiring minds want to know.

Closing Remarks

The organizers of this Luncheon asked that I bring brief remarks so in closing I thank the campaign team of Garden Hills for an excellent job in executing a disciplined campaign. I ask that you pray for the leadership of this country because we are facing some challenging times both socially and economically. I also ask that you remain vocal and spread the news about the good work your government is doing on your behalf in restoring this country’s battered economy and civility, as the fight against crime is everybody’s fight.

For example, the French Leave Mixed Use Resort and Marina in Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera; the reopening of the Reef Village and Lighthouse Club in Freeport, Grand Bahama with over a thousand new jobs; the Cape Eleuthera Resort construction and the Capo/Genting joint venture Resort, Casino and Marina in Bimini are just few of the projects your PLP government was able to successfully negotiate and approve in just six months in office. These initiatives will go a long way in reducing the level of unemployment and you are to be proud of and talk about these achievements. Our number one industry of Tourism is on the move with very positive growth. The Mega Resort of Bah Mar, a major tourism development at Cable Beach is well underway and is projected to create up to 7,000 new jobs.

Yes our Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie and his energetic team are hard at work on the country’s behalf and are enjoying great success. I congratulate and pray for them every day and I encourage each of you to do the same.

Time does not permit me to expand on our achievements in just six short months so I close by thanking you for inviting here today to share in the expression of love and appreciation for your party’s most cherished and powerful institution, the Stalwart Councilors. I appreciate you so remain focused and organized and may Almighty God bless, strengthen and guide all of you and I am confident that He who is the author and finisher of our faith will continue to bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Thank you.