Free National Movement leader Dr. Hubert Minnis yesterday called on Prime Minister Perry Christie to fire National Insurance Board (NIB) Chairman Greg Moss in light of the allegations against him.
Minnis also supported the idea of a full investigation into NIB to ensure that funds held by the agency were not abused.
“Just as they have placed (NIB Director Algernon) Cargill on administrative leave Moss should be asked to resign, if not the Prime Minister should dismiss him.”
Cargill was placed on leave in mid-November pending the outcome of an independent audit launched after Moss wrote a 22-page letter to Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson making serious allegations against the director.
Cargill filed a lawsuit against Moss and NIB last week alleging defamation, wrongful and unfair dismissal and breach of the Data Protection Act.
In an affidavit, Cargill documents the chairman’s alleged spending habits through the use of a corporate credit card, which Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson reportedly did not know he had.
In the affidavit, Cargill also alleges that Moss instructed NIB to give $15,000 for heart surgery for a Grand Bahama resident, which was outside the National Insurance Act and Regulations.
The allegations are two in a litany of accusations made against Moss by Cargill in his lawsuit.
On Friday, Christie told The Nassau Guardian that he has asked Gibson to provide a formal explanation surrounding the controversy.
He also said he had learned of the allegations against Moss “within the last 24 hours” and will have Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson advise him on the matter.
Minnis scoffed at Christie’s apparent surprise over the claims against Moss. The FNM leader raised the allegations during in a series of questions, which were tabled in the House of Assembly nearly two weeks ago.
Yesterday, he also questioned the prime minister’s oversight of NIB, which he said is a “cash cow” whose financial dealings should be scrutinized.
“I don’t know where the prime minister was when I asked the questions,” Minnis said. “I mean I brought it straight to the point, the allegations, everything was there. I don’t understand when he said he just heard it. Parliament should have heard it two weeks ago when I brought it up.”
By Taneka Thompson
Guardian Senior Reporter