Minnis Puts Ball In Plp Court Over Oil
By Tribune242
WITH the Bahamas Petroleum Company fulfilling all its required licence and regulatory obligations for another three year licence, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis called on Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday to find the “testicular fortitude” and make a decision with regards to the licensing of offshore oil drilling without having to “pass the buck” to the Bahamian people via a national referendum.
Highlighting that nearly 75 per cent of the Bahamian workforce is related to Tourism, Dr Minnis said that his party remains concerned about the prospects of BPC and the possible impact a spill in Bahamian waters would have on the nation’s number one industry.
“We have serious concerns about the environment and where are the regulations that would protect us if an accident were to occur. Where are the regulations with respect to how any proceeds from this venture would be handled? And what are we going to do with the money? That money, and that oil belongs to the people. It should be protected for future generations. And the people should have a say in what is done with it,” Dr Minnis said.
The Free National Movement’s leader also questioned whether or not Mr Christie ever returned the consultancy fees that he admitted receiving from BPC.
“We demand that the Government immediately disclose whether or not the law firm of Davis & Co. or any other law firm owned by a PLP cabinet minister or parliamentarian (still) acts on behalf of BPC.
“We remind Mr Christie that the most precious resources we have, apart from our people, are marine, touristic and fisheries resources. They should not be recklessly endangered, and the FNM will not permit potentially compromised decision-making, and lax regulatory oversight of oil drilling to compromise and endanger the well-being of Bahamian fishermen, hoteliers and communities,” Dr Minnis said.
With regards to the upcoming referendum on oil drilling, Dr Minnis challenged the Prime Minister to make up his own mind on the issue and act – and not pass the buck to the Bahamian public, as he, and his PLP party were elected to govern.
“Christie is revoking his responsibility to govern and is passing the buck. You were voted in to make a decision. So make a decision. You are vicitimizing people left, right and centre. You didn’t ask me about that. You can’t be a government of referendum. Being in government means you have to make decisions. He is copping out. I wonder if he has the testicular fortitude to make tough decisions,” he asked.
In fact, the FNM said that if Mr Christie and his government were so “frightened to lead” that they should hold a referendum on their governance thus far and allow the Bahamian people to vote on that.
“Have a referendum on whether or not we made a mistake in putting you there. If we vote ‘Yes’, then go,” he exclaimed.
September 11, 2012
Tribune 242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
...major uncertainties remain concerning oil drilling in The Bahamas
IMF: Bahamas faces ‘not just an oil find’
By Jeffrey Todd
Guardian Business Editor
jeffrey@nasguard.com
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the size of any oil deposit lurking beneath Bahamian waters is essential to any decision on whether to commence commercial drilling.
Gene Leon, mission chief to The Bahamas, felt there were myriad factors and concerns for this potentially billion-dollar question. How much is there, and how long the benefit will last, must be taken into account and weighed against the possibility of any detrimental impact on the country's coveted natural environment.
"There are clearly environmental concerns, and the flip side to an oil find is the tourism industry," he explained. "You don't want to be marred should a problem arise. There is always the question of how much, how long the benefit lasts, how to use those resources, and how to mitigate any environmental issues. These are big issues, and one must look at it in a holistic way. This is not just an oil find."
The comments by the IMF mission chief came at last week's conference in Trinidad and Tobago concerning rising Caribbean debt and limited prospects for growth. In The Bahamas, oil exploration has been a major revenue option burning a hole in the country's back pocket.
According to a report this summer by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), there is approximately a 50 percent chance it has 1.59 billion barrels of recoverable oil. It further determined there is a five percent chance it has 4.3 billion barrels, and a 95 percent chance of at least 554 million barrels.
Even if the find is on the lower end, the IMF mission chief noted that The Bahamas could consider using the resources just for “self sufficiency". Leon told Guardian Business that Barbados implemented a similar approach.
"It would certainly help. It (oil) is a fairly sizable chunk of your import bill," he added.
Of course, Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC), along with its shareholders on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), hope any find spills into the billions, rather than millions.
BPC has invested seven figures over the past few years on seismic testing, staffing and expertise ahead of an exploratory drill south of Andros, near the Cuban border.
On the other side, a Russian drilling company is set to drill just 100km from this proposed site later this year.
While that might be perceived as good news, major uncertainties remain concerning oil drilling in The Bahamas. The previous government suspended BPC's licenses back in May during the throws of the national election.
Guardian Business understands a statement is expected to be released by BPC today, however, indicating that the government will find them in full compliance. If so, that could mean renewed confidence for investors.
This uncertainty has been reflected in the share price of BPC in recent weeks. Trading on Friday saw share price dip below 6 pence per share for the first time since December 2011.
Shares managed to rally at the end of trading, however, finishing off the day at 6.50 pence. That compares with more than 24 pence per share early last year.
Sep 10, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
...whatever they called him during his 15 years as prime minister ...Hubert Ingraham did much for this country - The Bahamas ...and for all Bahamians... ...He should be a true inspiration to Bahamian youth who now know that regardless of their backgrounds ...they can also aspire to great heights
A Tribute To Hubert Alexander Ingraham
Tribune 242 Editorial
IF from a log cabin in the backwoods of Kentucky the sixteenth president of the United States could step forth, there was no reason why 203 years later Cooper’s Town, Abaco, could not produce from similar circumstances the second prime minister of the Bahamas.
Tribune 242 Editorial
IF from a log cabin in the backwoods of Kentucky the sixteenth president of the United States could step forth, there was no reason why 203 years later Cooper’s Town, Abaco, could not produce from similar circumstances the second prime minister of the Bahamas.
The two men had much in common. “I walk slowly,” said Abraham Lincoln, “but I never walk backwards.”
Hubert Alexander Ingraham, born in Pine Ridge Grand Bahama, in 1947, could have said the same.
Both men had much in common. Lincoln’s parents were illiterate. His mother died when he was nine, and his stepmother took him under her wing and encouraged him to read. Reading material was scarce and Lincoln walked for miles just to borrow a book.
Hubert Ingraham, was left with his grandparents in Abaco when he was a toddler, while his mother found work in Nassau. He grew up in a four-room wooden house with his grandparents and an uncle, and slept on a pallet on the floor with his two cousins. He got his first pair of shoes when he was 10 and didn’t learn how to use a knife and fork until he was 17. His grandfather taught him how to fish, his grandmother insisted on education — and every bit of learning he could get he got at the sleepy little town’s all-age school, where he became a monitor at 12 and a pupil teacher at 14.
When at 17 she felt he was ready to go to town to further his education, he wanted to become a teacher, she determined that he was to be a lawyer and a lawyer he became. Lincoln, who with his backwoods accent, made his living by manual labour and – like Hubert Ingraham – had to acquire social skills as he went along, also became a lawyer.
His grandmother instilled in him his courage and determination, she crafted his principles, taught him to raise his gaze above the horizon — believing that if he aimed for the stars, he might reach the tree tops. He did not let “Mama Lizzie” down. He was her boy and between his love and respect for her and his mother “Dama” he was determined to raise the lot of women in our society.
The UBP gave women the vote in 1962. When in 1992 Hubert Ingraham went to the polls to remove his mentor, Sir Lynden Pindling, from the seat of power, women started to come into their own.
During his administration, Mrs Janet Bostwick, a former minister in his government, states in an article in a special supplement in today’s Tribune:
“And, he is an FNM hero because he brought women front and centre in each government which he led, paying attention to all the issues that concern Bahamian women most especially health, education, social development and equality before the law.”
He placed women to head important ministries in his government — Attorney General, Health, Education, Foreign Affairs, Social Development, Transport, Public Service, and Immigration. During his administration Dame Ivy Dumont became the first woman Governor General, and Dame Joan Sawyer, was the first woman Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
He believed deeply in democracy — and for democracy to be equally enjoyed by all Bahamians. He was criticised by his own party for his refusal to discriminate against Bahamians who were not FNM. There are still those in his party who do not understand that all the spoils should not go to the victor. At least Hubert Alexander Ingraham did not believe in the victor walking away with everything — nor did old Abe Lincoln.
He also believed in freedom of speech. And one of the first things that he did on becoming prime minister of the Bahamas was to open the airwaves to the private sector. The Tribune was given the first private radio licence for 100 JAMZ. Since then there have been many private radio licences and many talk shows, where Bahamians can express their opinions, no matter how wise or foolish.
No longer do Bahamians, like Fred Mitchell, have to fly to Miami to buy air time to get their views across to the Bahamian public. Today they have many outlets right here at home and they certainly use them.
Mr Ingraham has been the brunt of much of their criticism — but this is the price of free speech. We are certain that he does not like it. We are also certain that untruths make him squirm — in fact send him into a boiling temper — but we are also certain that he would never be vindictive, or retaliate by denying work permits to newspapers. He would probably agree with Winston Churchill who said: “I am always in favour of the free press but sometimes they say quite nasty things.” As for Abe Lincoln, he felt it important “to let the people know the facts, and the country will be safe.”
They laughed at his accent, they called him the “Delivery Boy,” his nickname was Hughbiggity – Sir Lynden dismissed him as a one-term prime minister – but whatever they called him during his 15 years as prime minister he did much for this country and for all Bahamians. He should be a true inspiration to Bahamian youth who now know that regardless of their backgrounds they can also aspire to great heights.
September 07, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
The saga of illicit trading in The Bahamas began well before narcotics trafficking ...with bootlegging and piracy... ...So entwined is Bahamian history with smuggling and outrunning the law, it permeates Bahamian culture... ...The Bahamas cannot afford to lose investor confidence with the country’s governing stability marred by increased criminal activity
Drug trafficking via The Bahamas
With over 700 islands spread across thousands of miles of water, The Bahamas’ coastline provides innumerable opportunities to smuggle drugs, weapons and humans. There are simply too many places to hide, stash, and transit illegal goods and too few resources to track, locate, and arrest perpetrators.
The Bahamas has the uncanny ability to attract so-called dubious individuals – from financiers avoiding extradition or taxes, to drug and human traffickers. Our island nation of some 350,000 does little to halt the perception that participation in illegal activities is welcomed here.
Drug trafficking is alive and well in The Bahamas as evidenced by the stash of 345 pounds of cocaine worth $2.5 million found at North West Cay, off Great Inagua. The joint operation between the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) attests to the crucial coordination between The Bahamas and U.S. governments to thwart drug smuggling.
The Bahamas has a partner with vast resources to help combat narcotics trafficking, but unless Bahamians make a commitment to prosecute and incarcerate dealers in a timely manner, drug trafficking will continue to proliferate across the islands. The Bahamas must also commit to harsher sentences for those caught smuggling large amounts of narcotics.
As vast as the waters of The Bahamas are, the airways are not immune to drug transit. In just two months, police have reported the confiscation of over 50 pounds of cocaine at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA). In August police allege an individual upon arrival to customs was found with four and a half pounds of cocaine; in mid-July police allege an individual with over seven pounds of cocaine was discovered; and in early July over 40 pounds of cocaine was found on a commercial airline after police acted on information from U.S. Customs & Border Protection personnel.
The Bahamas must press forward in the fight to combat the trafficking of drugs through our country. Though it may never cease completely, we cannot ignore the affiliation of drug trafficking to other crimes being committed. We only need to look at Mexico.
The saga of illicit trading in The Bahamas began well before narcotics trafficking with bootlegging and piracy. So entwined is Bahamian history with smuggling and outrunning the law, it permeates Bahamian culture. But set now in the global age, The Bahamas cannot afford to lose investor confidence with the country’s governing stability marred by increased criminal activity.
Sep 06, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The promised referendum on oil drilling in The Bahamas is likely to be held some time in 2013 - according to Prime Minister Perry Christie
Oil Vote To Be Held Next Year
By CELESTE NIXON
Tribune Staff Reporter
cnixon@tribunemedia.net
THE promised referendum on oil drilling is likely to be held some time next year, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.
Speaking outside Cabinet yesterday, Mr Christie said the government hopes to tackle the issue in 2013, but only if certain other factors fall into place.
“We are continuing to talk to those people who are applicants,” he said, “but as I have indicated before, oil drilling will only take place if the Bahamian people approve it through a referendum.
“It will happen next year some time, and if in fact we are ready, as I anticipate to be with the constitutional review at the end of March. By then (the oil drilling issue) will have the developments that will enable us to look at the question of a referendum.”
Shortly after the election, Environment Minister Ken Dorsett said certain “assessments” had to take place before oil exploration could begin.
According to the 2011 annual report by the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC), the government is working towards establishing a regulatory framework for gas and oil extraction.
“Completion of the Bahamian elections ahead of their May 2012 deadline and timely progress towards implementation of revised laws, statutes and enabling regulations covering hydrocarbon exploration will promote accelerated activity,” he said. “The government is working to put the regulation in place to oversee oil and gas activity. We expect these regulations to be in place prior to our drilling.”
When the report was released in late May, Mr Dorsett said he could not comment on it.
“I haven’t read the report so I cannot comment on any statements they have made,” he said.
Tensions over oil drilling in the Bahamas increased in the weeks leading up to the election after it became known that Prime Minister Christie was a former consultant for the oil company’s Bahamian legal team.
Mr Christie said he was hired through the law firm of Davis & Co, which was headed by now Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.
Graham Thompson & Co, of which former PLP attorney general Sean McWeeney is a partner, was also listed on the BPC’s website, as was PLP candidate for Killarney Jerome Gomez as its resident manager. However, Mr Gomez lost the Killarney constituency on May 7 to Dr. Hubert Minnis.
In late May, BPC said they are not discouraged by the fact that oil testing off the coast of Cuba yielded no results.
BPC chief operating officer Paul Gucwa said that while successful drilling in Cuba would have been encouraging, the results do not mean there is no oil in the Bahamas, nor does it affect oil drilling efforts.
Dr Gucwa added BPC intends to drill in a different geographical area and from their research it was not unexpected that the Scarabeo-9 drilling off the northwest of Cuba hit a dry well.
“A good result in their drilling would have been good news – however, from our research it was an expected result,” he said.
September 05, 2012 Tribune242
By CELESTE NIXON
Tribune Staff Reporter
cnixon@tribunemedia.net
THE promised referendum on oil drilling is likely to be held some time next year, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.
Speaking outside Cabinet yesterday, Mr Christie said the government hopes to tackle the issue in 2013, but only if certain other factors fall into place.
“We are continuing to talk to those people who are applicants,” he said, “but as I have indicated before, oil drilling will only take place if the Bahamian people approve it through a referendum.
“It will happen next year some time, and if in fact we are ready, as I anticipate to be with the constitutional review at the end of March. By then (the oil drilling issue) will have the developments that will enable us to look at the question of a referendum.”
Shortly after the election, Environment Minister Ken Dorsett said certain “assessments” had to take place before oil exploration could begin.
According to the 2011 annual report by the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC), the government is working towards establishing a regulatory framework for gas and oil extraction.
“Completion of the Bahamian elections ahead of their May 2012 deadline and timely progress towards implementation of revised laws, statutes and enabling regulations covering hydrocarbon exploration will promote accelerated activity,” he said. “The government is working to put the regulation in place to oversee oil and gas activity. We expect these regulations to be in place prior to our drilling.”
When the report was released in late May, Mr Dorsett said he could not comment on it.
“I haven’t read the report so I cannot comment on any statements they have made,” he said.
Tensions over oil drilling in the Bahamas increased in the weeks leading up to the election after it became known that Prime Minister Christie was a former consultant for the oil company’s Bahamian legal team.
Mr Christie said he was hired through the law firm of Davis & Co, which was headed by now Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.
Graham Thompson & Co, of which former PLP attorney general Sean McWeeney is a partner, was also listed on the BPC’s website, as was PLP candidate for Killarney Jerome Gomez as its resident manager. However, Mr Gomez lost the Killarney constituency on May 7 to Dr. Hubert Minnis.
In late May, BPC said they are not discouraged by the fact that oil testing off the coast of Cuba yielded no results.
BPC chief operating officer Paul Gucwa said that while successful drilling in Cuba would have been encouraging, the results do not mean there is no oil in the Bahamas, nor does it affect oil drilling efforts.
Dr Gucwa added BPC intends to drill in a different geographical area and from their research it was not unexpected that the Scarabeo-9 drilling off the northwest of Cuba hit a dry well.
“A good result in their drilling would have been good news – however, from our research it was an expected result,” he said.
September 05, 2012 Tribune242
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
...this school year will be much like last ...and most of the others in memory... ...they will disgorge thousands of students who are border-line innumerate ...and -sad to say- also stone-cold illiterate
Tragedy in Slow Motion
The Bahama Journal Editorial
As morning light rose this morning, it did so to the sounds and chatter of children and their parents as they did what they had to do before this brand-new school year.
This first day of school is set to be that kind of day when some parents lament the traffic jams and all those other troubles that come with far too many roads still mired in a muddy mess.
Somehow or the other – that is to say in a style that is uniquely Bahamian – school will convene and teachers, administrators and other school staff will get on [somehow or the other] with their work.
Police on patrol on some of these mean campuses will also get on with their work of ‘securing’ these places.
Students will be patted down; teachers will be waved through and this first day would have started.
If past experience is any guide this school year will be much like last and most of the others in memory – they will disgorge thousands of students who are border-line innumerate and [sad to say] also stone-cold illiterate.
Very many of this nation’s schools – public and private alike – are just not working.
This is evidenced by the fact that in any given school year thousands of students come out of schools [say that they have been graduated]; but who know it better than anyone else that they are functionally illiterate and woefully innumerate.
This is a national disgrace.
On occasion, this disgrace morphs into families that are run by people who are so incompetent that some of their school attending children sometimes eclipse parents who cannot read or write – or hold down a well-paying job.
In turn, some of these troubled families disgorge troubled, illiterate children.
Why you might ask is this sad situation allowed to continue.
Here we would proffer – as explanation and as cry for relief – that, having decided that every child in the Bahamas, should have access to schooling, in an independent Bahamas; this nation’s elite classes saw to it that this was done.
And it was done: every child in the Bahamas has access to schooling; with but a few having access to a genuine education.
This is an expensive tragedy; with its pith and substance being found in a situation where practically all students – regardless of aptitude – were exposed to an identical curriculum.
Predictably, the system did what it was designed to do: – It churned out the few who could negotiate the hurdles. Thereafter it disgorged the many who had presumably ‘failed’.
These tens of thousands of youth did not fail!
Today the dreadful truth stands revealed – the system failed them!
Making matters even worse, tens of thousands of the youth who trudge their way to this or that broken school have their roots and genesis in homes that are hovels.
Compounding the matter at hand – most of these hovels are located in so-called ‘communities’ where drugs, guns and street-level prostitution are rife.
There arises a kind of ape-mimicry of badness by youth who pattern their feral behavior on what they see and hear going on around them.
Information coming our way speaks a horror concerning the extent to which some who live in these kinds of bad places routinely target tourists and other strangers.
Interestingly, “…The United States Department of State has rated the crime threat level in New Providence in The Bahamas as “critical” and “high” in Grand Bahama…”
The Embassy also notes that, “…New Providence Island, in particular, has experienced a spike in crime that has adversely affected the traveling public,” said the Bahamas 2012 Crime and Safety Report, which was recently released. “Armed robberies, property theft, purse snatchings, and general theft of personal property remain the most common crimes against tourists. There has been a dramatic increase in general crimes in 2011.” It added: “In previous years, most violent crimes involved mainly Bahamian citizens and occurred in ‘Over-the-Hill’ areas, which are not frequented by tourists. They also point to the fact that, there were numerous incidents reported that involved tourists or have occurred in areas in tourist locations. These incidents have specifically occurred in the downtown areas, to include the cruise ship dock (Prince George Wharf) and the Cable Beach commerce areas…”
The US Embassy claimed that it has received reports of assaults, including sexual assaults, in diverse areas such as casinos, outside hotels, or on cruise ships. In several incidents, the victim had reportedly been drugged, the report said. There it goes:- Some of the thieves, rapists and cut-throats bred and born in today’s crime blighted society are now turning their attention to the nation’s jugular.
This is nothing short of tragedy played out in slow motion.
04 September, 2012
Jones Bahamas
The Bahama Journal Editorial
As morning light rose this morning, it did so to the sounds and chatter of children and their parents as they did what they had to do before this brand-new school year.
This first day of school is set to be that kind of day when some parents lament the traffic jams and all those other troubles that come with far too many roads still mired in a muddy mess.
Somehow or the other – that is to say in a style that is uniquely Bahamian – school will convene and teachers, administrators and other school staff will get on [somehow or the other] with their work.
Police on patrol on some of these mean campuses will also get on with their work of ‘securing’ these places.
Students will be patted down; teachers will be waved through and this first day would have started.
If past experience is any guide this school year will be much like last and most of the others in memory – they will disgorge thousands of students who are border-line innumerate and [sad to say] also stone-cold illiterate.
Very many of this nation’s schools – public and private alike – are just not working.
This is evidenced by the fact that in any given school year thousands of students come out of schools [say that they have been graduated]; but who know it better than anyone else that they are functionally illiterate and woefully innumerate.
This is a national disgrace.
On occasion, this disgrace morphs into families that are run by people who are so incompetent that some of their school attending children sometimes eclipse parents who cannot read or write – or hold down a well-paying job.
In turn, some of these troubled families disgorge troubled, illiterate children.
Why you might ask is this sad situation allowed to continue.
Here we would proffer – as explanation and as cry for relief – that, having decided that every child in the Bahamas, should have access to schooling, in an independent Bahamas; this nation’s elite classes saw to it that this was done.
And it was done: every child in the Bahamas has access to schooling; with but a few having access to a genuine education.
This is an expensive tragedy; with its pith and substance being found in a situation where practically all students – regardless of aptitude – were exposed to an identical curriculum.
Predictably, the system did what it was designed to do: – It churned out the few who could negotiate the hurdles. Thereafter it disgorged the many who had presumably ‘failed’.
These tens of thousands of youth did not fail!
Today the dreadful truth stands revealed – the system failed them!
Making matters even worse, tens of thousands of the youth who trudge their way to this or that broken school have their roots and genesis in homes that are hovels.
Compounding the matter at hand – most of these hovels are located in so-called ‘communities’ where drugs, guns and street-level prostitution are rife.
There arises a kind of ape-mimicry of badness by youth who pattern their feral behavior on what they see and hear going on around them.
Information coming our way speaks a horror concerning the extent to which some who live in these kinds of bad places routinely target tourists and other strangers.
Interestingly, “…The United States Department of State has rated the crime threat level in New Providence in The Bahamas as “critical” and “high” in Grand Bahama…”
The Embassy also notes that, “…New Providence Island, in particular, has experienced a spike in crime that has adversely affected the traveling public,” said the Bahamas 2012 Crime and Safety Report, which was recently released. “Armed robberies, property theft, purse snatchings, and general theft of personal property remain the most common crimes against tourists. There has been a dramatic increase in general crimes in 2011.” It added: “In previous years, most violent crimes involved mainly Bahamian citizens and occurred in ‘Over-the-Hill’ areas, which are not frequented by tourists. They also point to the fact that, there were numerous incidents reported that involved tourists or have occurred in areas in tourist locations. These incidents have specifically occurred in the downtown areas, to include the cruise ship dock (Prince George Wharf) and the Cable Beach commerce areas…”
The US Embassy claimed that it has received reports of assaults, including sexual assaults, in diverse areas such as casinos, outside hotels, or on cruise ships. In several incidents, the victim had reportedly been drugged, the report said. There it goes:- Some of the thieves, rapists and cut-throats bred and born in today’s crime blighted society are now turning their attention to the nation’s jugular.
This is nothing short of tragedy played out in slow motion.
04 September, 2012
Jones Bahamas
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Poverty continues to rise in The Bahamas... ...The number of people receiving social assistance from the government has more than doubled in the past eight years...
Govt tackling poverty rise
By Krystel Rolle
Guardian Staff Reporter
krystel@nasguard.com
The number of people receiving social assistance from the government has more than doubled in the past eight years, a sign that poverty increased during that period, Social Services officials revealed yesterday.
There are currently between 8,000 and 10,000 people in New Providence receiving some form of help from the government, according to Social Service Director Melanie McKenzie. That’s compared to 2004 when there were only about 3,000 people who were receiving some form of social assistance.
Social Services Minister Melanie Griffin said the number would increase substantially if the Family Islands were included.
However, she did not have those numbers on hand yesterday.
Griffin and McKenzie were responding to questions during a contract signing with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for a $7.5 million loan for the establishment of a social safety net program. The loan agreement was signed at the Office of the Prime Minister.
While speaking in the House of Assembly weeks ago on a resolution to borrow the money from the IDB, Griffin revealed that millions of dollars have been spent on social relief in the past two years alone.
Between July 2010 to June 2011, the Department of Social Services spent $687,644.21 on electricity bills; $98,0972.99 on Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) bills; $1,026,195 on rental assistance; $89,573 on burial assistance; $6.5 million on food coupon payments; $1.3 million on permanent food coupons, and another $4.6 million on temporary food coupons.
Between July 2011 and June 2012, the Department of Social Services spent $758,676 on electricity bills; $88,798 on WSC bills; $1.2 million on rental assistance; $6.6 million on food coupon payments; $1.4 million on permanent food coupons, and another $4.8 million on temporary food coupons.
The social safety net program seeks to reduce poverty through the introduction of a conditional cash transfer (CCT) targeted at the poor. Through the program, cash grants will be provided on the condition that households comply with health and education conditions focused on children.
During yesterday’s signing, IDB representative Astrid Winter said the program will upgrade social services in The Bahamas.
“This initiative will help to consolidate all existing social service programs while promoting lifestyle changes in struggling families,” Winter said.
“Eligible families will receive assistance while meeting the demands of transitioning to a healthier lifestyle to combat the alarming rates of obesity in the country and we are talking specifically about child obesity, which leads to a number of debilitating issues later in life.”
The program will also address education deficiencies, she noted.
Griffin said the program will revolutionize the delivery of social assistance in the country.
She said the need for social safety reforms is critical.
“Change is not always easy,” Griffin said. “We have some challenging days ahead as we seek to change what has been in place for many, many years.”
She said the program will help break the cycle of poverty.
Key activities to be funded by the social safety net program include a nationwide survey to ascertain the characteristics of poverty in The Bahamas; the modernization of the delivery method for food stamps in New Providence and Grand Bahama, and an alteration in the method of determining recipients of assistance.
Aug 31, 2012
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