The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said if the management of the Ingraham administration’s 52 week job programme was “severely deficient” as described by the auditor general, he hopes the government makes the necessary adjustments to improve on the initiative.

Dr Minnis said since the Perry Christie-led government has decided to “copy” the programme implemented under the previous FNM administration it should “build on the foundation” and make changes.

His comments came after a 2012/2013 report executed by Auditor General Terrance Bastian revealed that the Ministry of Finance did not undertake any on site inspections of participating businesses involved with the job plan, creating an environment for fraud. In addition, the ministry did not verify whether those businesses had current business licenses or whether their National Insurance Board contributions were current, the report said.

Other deficiencies were reflected in the report. In once instance a worker was able to pocket more than $2,000 in continued payments despite leaving the job programme for the private sector.

While admitting he did not read the report, which was tabled in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, Dr Minnis said this is a “great opportunity” for the current government to improve on the FNM's idea.

“I think the programme was designed with great intent to help the young people. We had a serious unemployment situation (at the time) and if Mr Christie chooses to follow our programme, like he said he would, then they can improve it,” Dr Minnis said when contacted on Thursday.

“What Mr Christie wants to do is a replica of ours so he can make the necessary adjustments to ensure it works even better. That is how governments are supposed to work. They build on the foundation that others put down. If the auditor general feels there are some flaws, going forward this is an opportunity for the PLP to make the necessary amendments and try to improve it.”

According to Mr Bastian, the Ministry of Finance did not adequately maintain accounting records of the payments made under the job plan. He said auditors were not provided with evidence that monthly expenditure reports and reconciliations were prepared.

The 52-week programme had an initial budget of $25m, however it ballooned to $48m. While the Free National Movement has touted the initiative as a major success, the auditor general noted that only 239 people of 4,100 who participated were permanently hired.

Participants received a weekly stipend of $210 with the exception of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) participants. Those people received a weekly stipend of $150.

The programme ended in Grand Bahama on April 5, 2013 and in New Providence on April 12, 2013. The programme was cancelled nearly a year after the Progressive Liberal Party took office.

Prime Minister Perry Christie heavily criticized the 52-week programme in the past; saying people were paid but did not show up for work.

However during his budget communication last week, he announced that his administration will institute an apprenticeship programme with the private sector and allocate the $20m to arrest the high rate of youth employment.