I, like a great many Bahamians am greatly troubled that the business of National Insurance has occupied such prominent media attention over the last several weeks. National Insurance was designed to give all Bahamians an assurance of social comfort, especially in times of distress, sickness and aged.
Because of that assurance which has been in place ever since the introduction of National Insurance in 1974, Bahamians today ought not to be allowed to be in fear of their safety net for their future.
I would not comment specifically on the merits or demerits of the controversy regarding National Insurance, except that I have arrived at the painful conclusion that generally politicians have a great difficulty in judging one another or officials whom they have appointed. That might be considered the “circle the wagon” syndrome.
I proudly joined with others in the Progressive Liberal Party a decade ago when we prepared the party’s platform for the 2002 general election. Among other commitments advanced was the pledge that the people will be able to examine anyone in public service, and that should anything appear to be wrong, Bahamians could report the matter to “an independent Public Integrity Commission”, so that they would have the comfort in knowing that there is honesty and transparency in government.
In that declaration the PLP pledged to make freedom real by “restoring faith in government by appointing an independent Public Integrity Commission to ensure that the government is responsive to the people and that a standard of conduct is maintained that is worthy of the people’s trust”.
Once such a commission is in place – established properly and without controversy by legislation – there would not be the need, as is presently the case with the NIB confusion, for the government’s frontline involvement, leaving the government to concentrate on the other multitude of problems and challenges now facing this nation; much of which was laid out in the party’s “Charter for Governance”.
I list a number of them – fighting crime, growing the economy, creating jobs, improving education, providing better health care, treasuring our youth and our aged, home construction, urban improvements and enriching our culture, the arts and our society.
All Bahamians must place the interest of the country before any personal selfish interest as we move The Bahamas forward.
George A. Smith
Nassau, Bahamas
December, 2012
