The Tribune

SEVERAL YEARS ago a debate arose when members of the public expressed annoyance at expensive cars being used by government members during the Pindling administration for a certain official function — at the moment we do not recall whether the function was in the Bahamas or in the US. However, we shall never forget the justification given by a young PLP MP — now a member of the Christie government — as to why the flashy cars were needed to take the Bahamas delegation — like Cinderella in her golden carriage — to the ball.

The cars were chosen, he said, “to reflect our status.”

We grew up in a Bahamas when a man reflected his status by his honesty, his kindness and anyone who did business with him knew that his word was his bond. In those days many contracts were sealed with a handshake. And so this shallow reply, reflecting an inferiority complex of a little man who desperately wanted to be a “big” man in the eyes of the world, has always remained with us.

Today, even if half the stories reaching our desk are true, there is much reason for concern. To put it bluntly the Bahamas is broke. Financial experts, both here and abroad, are giving us the same advice that they gave Greece. Like Greece it appears the Bahamas is ignoring the advice. Anyone watching television must know the turmoil that Greece eventually had to face when its treasury collapsed. Is the Bahamas doomed to follow the same path to destruction?

The Bahamas has been told that our current debt is unsustainable, but nobody seems to be taking it seriously. The Bahamas has also been advised to immediately start to trim its financial sails. But, again, no one seems to have his hand on the tiller.

All we now see is a new breed of politicians flitting around reflecting their status – and costing the Treasury more money.

We are told, for example, that the House’s new Speaker is now chauffeur driven. We hope that this report is not true, but if it is we must remind him that Speaker Alvin Smith, and all House Speakers before him got around quite well at the wheel of their government-provided car, and where the car didn’t take them, “Shank’s pony” did. As far as we know a chauffeur was not an extra expense on the Treasury. In the “old” days MPs got no car, nor did they get a salary. Today, they not only get a good salary and all kinds of perks, but with certain positions there is also a car. But a chauffeur? Have they forgotten that expenses have to be trimmed?

And now there is the report that seems to be agitating National Insurance. Mr Gregory Moss, MP for Marco City, Grand Bahama, has been appointed executive chairman of National Insurance. The talk is that he has been provided with a 2012 model Ford Explorer. It is said that a chauffeur is also provided.

However, what is also upsetting staff is that their CEO, the man who heads the department and is daily on the job has been removed from his office — to make way for the executive chairman. Instead the man responsible for running the department has been shunted into a tiny office side office. The rumour is that politicians are trying to frustrate National Insurance Board Director Algernon Cargill so that he will resign his post.

It is also understood that Mr Moss has represented that he will now have to spend so much time in Nassau, that the government should rent a house for him. According to reports this has been agreed. It is true that Mr Moss will have to come to Nassau for House meetings — but for years so did many other Family Island representatives. However, if the need for extra time is being attributed to NIB board meetings then in this modern day conference calling should be instituted for all Family Island chairmen — it certainly would show that they recognise that expenses have to be reduced.

There is also chatter about MP Anthony Moss, of Exuma and Ragged Island, who is now into his third term as a House member. He was recently appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources. As this is a full time job there is no doubt that Mr Moss will have to move to Nassau, and a government-assisted rented home would be in order. As it would also be for Mr Gregory Moss of Marco City if in fact his executive appointment is also a daily duty.

It is understood that Mr Anthony Moss of Exuma had been offered rental assistance in Nassau under the Ingraham administration to enable him to perform his duties in Nassau. However, Mr Moss declined because he did not want to move to Nassau. However, he did get a reasonable travel allowance.

However, there is so much talk and agitation about these appointments and these perks, especially at this time, that Prime Minister Christie should make a statement to clearly state the position.

However, the bottom line is that all unnecessary spending has to be stopped. Today there are so many ways that most travel for business can be eliminated that video conferences should be a set pattern, and, other than attending House sessions extra expenses to travel to Nassau on government business should be eliminated.

However, the persons who have called The Tribune on the matter are so angry that an explanation is owed the general public. This should be done sooner, rather than later.