The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I HAVE always argued the point that the former Free National Movement (FNM) member of Parliament for Marco City and Minister of State for Finance Senator Zhivargo Laing had become the whipping boy for supporters of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) during the tenure of the former Ingraham administration. It was obvious to all and sundry that former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Hubert A Ingraham had reposed a lot of trust in the former Marco City representative by placing him in the ministry of finance. As providence would have it, Laing's tenure between 2007 and 2012 in that vital ministry had coincided with the devastating collapse of the US. economy in 2008. The following years of 2009, 2010 and 2011 proved to be very difficult years for The Bahamas, especially for Grand Bahama. According to the Department of Statistics, the jobless rate in Grand Bahama had climbed to near 22 per cent. This means that some 11,000 Grand Bahamians were out of work and at their wits' end. The FNM government introduced several initiatives to cushion the devastating blow of the recession, but obviously most Bahamians want a hand up not a handout. Grand Bahamians are prideful. They don't want to be seen standing on the line at Social Services.

There are some financial analysts who believe that the jobless rate in the nation's second city is much higher than the 22 per cent figure that has been touted by the Department of Statistics. These financial analysts are now postulating that the unemployment rate in Grand Bahama is near 30 per cent. Whatever it is, all are agreed that the economy in the nation's second city has been decimated. Obviously, this did not bode well for the FNM government and its junior minister of finance. To his critics, Grand Bahama's economic malaise was irrefutable proof that Laing should not have been a member of Parliament, let alone minister of state for finance. It is unfortunate that Laing bore the brunt of the criticisms for Grand Bahama's economic woes. With relentless passion, his political opponents spared no effort in hounding him either in the press or in the House of Assembly. Ingraham and his erstwhile junior minister were both blamed for mismanaging the Bahamian economy. Even after failing to get re-elected to Parliament on May 7, the PLP seems determined to finish off Laing's political career by continuing its concerted political attacks on the former FNM MP.

Now there are fresh allegations by the PLP government that Laing was paid more than $120,000 in the Ingraham administration. At first, it was alleged by Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis in the House that Laing received $6,000 more than the three former junior ministers, Loretta Butler-Turner, Phenton Neymour and Byran Woodside. According to Halkitis, the FNM government gave the three junior ministers a total pay of $93,000 - $28,000 for MP salary, $60,000 for the minister salary, and $5,000 for duty allowance. Laing, on the other hand, got $99,000, according to the junior minister of finance. He got $28,000 for his MP salary, $60,000 for minister salary, $5,000 for duty allowance and $6,000 for a personal allowance.

It was Senator Frank Smith who recently alleged in the Senate that Laing actually got more than $120,000, not $99,000. Coincidentally, it was Smith who brought up the Mona Vie incident with Laing several years ago. I am glad that Laing has sought to clear the air regarding his salary under the FNM administration. Laing told The Nassau Guardian that he got a housing allowance of $3,000 a month. That's $36,000 per year. That's more than a typical Bahamian worker earns per annum. If Laing got $93,000 plus $36,000 per annum, this means he received $129,000. That's $10,750 per month. Laing has argued that the housing allowance is given to a minister who is domiciled in a Family Island, not New Providence. According to the new FNM senator, you get a housing allowance to take account of your living expenses in the capital. Laing has made a valid point, I think. But he, along with FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, will have to provide ironclad evidence to the Bahamian people, especially FNMs that former FNM ministers Neko Grand, Larry Cartwright, Edison Key and Kenneth Russell all received the same salary. Otherwise, it would appear that he got unfair preferential treatment by the former prime minister. The PLP is adamant that Laing was paid even more than the substantive ministers in Ingraham's Cabinet. In fact, I am hearing a $6,000 figure being touted by PLPs. I can already see where the PLP is heading with this. According to some of them, while many Marco City residents were catching eternal hell, Laing was living off the hog.

If the PLP is telling the truth, then obviously I cannot in good conscience condone this. However, I am still willing to give Senator Laing the benefit of the doubt. I consider him to be a very honest man. Despite the myriad of challenges Grand Bahama experienced between 2007 and 2012, I believe Laing was an excellent MP. It is unfortunate that the PLP is so determined to impugn his character. I am looking forward to him repudiating these latest allegations. To be sure, Laing must deal with this issue in a satisfactory manner. If he doesn't, the PLP will use it against him in 2017. He must remember that the PLP brought up the Mona Vie allegations in 2008 or thereabouts. That particular issue figured prominently in several of the PLP's Gold Rush rallies in the weeks leading up to My 7. I wouldn't be surprised if they were to used these latest allegations at the next election cycle. Perhaps the former FNM ministers mentioned above should all go to the press and defend their former Cabinet colleague. I think that would be a very good idea. No stone should be left unturned in vindicating Laing in this matter.

KEVIN EVANS

Freeport,

Grand Bahama,

June 20, 2012.