The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

BISHOP Simeon Hall yesterday led dozens of CLICO (Bahamas) policyholders in a march to Parliament in an attempt to urge the government not to forget its promises to assist the thousands of people who lost millions of dollars when the company collapsed.

Bishop Hall, senior pastor emeritus of New Covenant Baptist Church, said it is a “most unfortunate experience” that “13,000 people have been going through for six and a half years.”

He said he hoped that the government would soon make an announcement on a plan to resolve the matter.

If not, Bishop Hall said the group would “continue to protest with the hope that the government will do something concrete.”

About 30 protestors, armed with placards, marched from the General Post Office into Rawson Square. Once there, they patiently waited for Prime Minister Perry Christie, who is also Finance Minister, to arrive for parliament’s morning session.

Upon his arrival, however, Mr Christie got out of his car and momentarily observed the protesters, who, from the northern side of Rawson Square, passionately called on him and his administration to bring resolution to the matter.

However, Mr Christie was escorted into the House of Assembly without stopping to speak either to Bishop Hall or the protestors. Attempts by the media to get him to comment on the matter were unsuccessful.

Bishop Hall said yesterday: “It is wrong for anybody to steal from the least, the lost and the left out. But in my particular case, CLICO abused the money of the church. My church had me insured (through some) annuities and the money is gone to buy a racetrack in Florida – I’m insulted by that.

“But I’m also concerned that under the FNM and the PLP this millions of dollars was allowed to get out of the country.”

He added that he has been flooded with calls from policyholders who need their money.

“I have a case of an elderly lady who said she refuses to die because she wants her money, and that’s what we’re dealing with,” Bishop Hall said.

In March, Mr Christie said his administration still considered the CLICO matter as one of importance.

Yesterday Bishop Hall raised concern about the oversight that allowed CLICO to collapse.

He added: “I understand that some $70-90m was allowed to go out of the country underneath the (watch) of persons in charge. I understand there is some governing board that governs insurances, and that board fell asleep when the money went out of the country. So the people from CLICO took money out of the country to do other business, but those businesses went belly up.”

He also questioned the government’s financial priorities, such as spending so much money on Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival as opposed to assisting the disgruntled policyholders.

“I have nothing against carnival personally, but what it is, is prioritising,” he said. “Should we prioritise carnival over paying these people? Should we prioritise other things? It’s been six years. When government officials say we should be patient, how can we be patient for six and a half years?”

Other protestors also chimed to express their discontent with the government’s lack of action on the matter.

“It is time for some resolution,” said protestor Adrienne Adderley. “The prime minister and the PLP government say they believe in Bahamians, but I don’t believe so because they’re not treating us right. They’re not telling us the truth. As a matter of fact they’re not telling us anything. I don’t believe in mediocre treatment. I put this thing in place for my future and my children’s future, and all I’m asking for is what belongs to me. And I would appreciate it if they would come to some resolution this day,” she said.

“These people find themselves in situations where they are embarrassed financially, we all know the difficult times in which we live. And yet they can’t make ends meet that no one is coming to their rescue,” said Paul Moss, a lawyer representing the general workers of CLICO.

Last year, there were calls from policyholders for the government to indicate whether it will honour a $30m guarantee for CLICO policies.