Let’s get real on redeeming the National Insurance Board (NIB) fund, Minister Myles LaRoda

Let’s get real with National Insurance, Minister Myles LaRoda 

By Dennis Dames

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for the National Insurance Board (NIB), Myles LaRoda, has been talking a lot lately about increasing contributions of employers and employees in order to stabilize the NIB fund.

That is an impractical proposition by itself in my view as the NIB fund is already in a very critical state, and employers and employees are presently paying a combined 9.8 percent!

How much higher does any sensible government thinks that that rate can realistically and practically increase without serious financial ramifications for the employer and employee?

The minister stated that the government is in no position to assist NIB financially.  What nonsense!

NIB’s problem has always been poor governance and a lack of prudent vision from its inception, in my humble opinion.

Too much political interference and sweetheart jobs over the decades have contributed significantly to the deplorable state of the NIB fund today.

Add the issue of inept management, over-staffing and political crony jobs, and we get an even grimmer picture of the depressing and ongoing disgraceful state of the rapid erosion of the NIB fund.

The government must find a way to become a partner in the rescue of the NIB fund, Minister LaRoda.  Let’s start with reducing the government’s travel budget, for example.

We live in the 21st Century and technological age where we can show some international leadership, and encourage and persuade our respective global counterparts to have more conferences online.  We can use the savings from the elimination of unnecessary state, political and sweetheart travelling to enhance the NIB investment fund.

Let’s stop acting brand new and talking fool like we just realize that more and more of us are living longer, and are thus putting a strain on the NIB fund by collecting our well deserved monthly pension checks.

Let’s get real on redeeming the NIB fund, Minister LaRoda.

Now is the time for the government of The Bahamas to show real political and executive leadership in the salvation of the NIB fund by letting the people know what the government’s financial contribution is going to be until the NIB fund is put in to a healthy position once and for all - for the future posterity.

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) seeks to resolve candidates dispute in the Kennedy and South Beach constituencies

PLP seeks to resolve candidates dispute
By BRENT DEAN
thenassauguardian
Deputy News Editor
brentldean@nasguard.com




The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has decided to appoint two 10-member committees to assist in bringing resolution to candidate disputes in the Kennedy and South Beach constituencies, The Nassau Guardian has learned.

The party made the move at its National General Council (NGC) meeting Thursday night at PLP headquarters, party sources said. Upset PLPs raised the issue that the proper process had not been followed, the sources said, leading to the ratification of candidates for those constituencies.

In December, the PLP announced Bahamas Nurses Union president Cleola Hamilton as its South Beach candidate and attorney Dion Smith as its Kennedy candidate.

However, the Kennedy branch recommended attorney Derek Ryan to the party and South Beach’s branch recommended attorney Myles Laroda. The PLP’s constitution calls for the appointment of committees when there are discrepancies between who the party selects as a candidate and who the branch recommends.

The PLP’s constitution says that when there is a conflict between the recommendation of the branch and the decision of the party’s candidates committee, a joint meeting should be held including the branch and 10 members of the NGC appointed by the party chairman in consultation with the leader.

That meeting would be charged with “amicably” resolving the matter and reporting to the PLP leader.

This had not been done when Hamilton and Smith were announced as candidates.

1/22/2011

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Front-runners Emerge for the Pinewood, South Beach and Kennedy Constituencies

Front-runners emerge in PLP candidate selection process
By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com:



Front-runners are emerging in the Progressive Liberal Party's consideration process for the Pinewood, South Beach and Kennedy constituencies, The Nassau Guardian has learned.

Party sources have confirmed that attorney Randol Dorsett is the front-runner for the Pinewood nomination, attorneys Keith Bell and Dion Smith for the Kennedy nomination and attorney Myles Laroda for the South Beach seat.

The PLP is active in its candidate selection process, having already named four candidates for the next general election.

Jerome Fitzgerald (Marathon), Michael Halkitis (Golden Isles), Hope Strachan (Sea Breeze) and Dr. Kendal Major (Garden Hills) were the first to be ratified by the party.

With the public announcement this week by former PLP Pinewood MP Allyson Maynard-Gibson that she will not seek a nomination to run in the next general election, party insiders said Dorsett currently is the "lead horse" in the race to succeed her as the party's next area candidate.

However, it is understood that there is competition for the Kennedy nomination. Former PLP MP Franklyn Wilson supports attorney Keith Bell. Bell works as an attorney at Sunshine Finance, which is a part of the Sunshine Group of Companies, of which Wilson is chairman.

Attorney Dion Smith is said to have good support among young people in the party. Sources said Smith had an impressive group of young supporters at an event at PLP headquarters last week.

After the sudden death several months ago of the PLP's likely candidate for the South Beach constituency attorney Dwayne Hanna, new faces emerged for consideration.

Sources said that Laroda has the support of the PLP's South Beach branch executive and influential stalwart councilors in the area.

The party is in the advanced stage of determining who will be its candidate for South Beach.

Others up for consideration by the party in that constituency include: Attorneys Fayne Thompson and Romauld Ferreira, former Young Liberals leader Viraj Perpall, Dr. Lynwood Brown and 2007 area candidate Wallace Rolle.

The PLP has also interviewed numerous female potential candidates. Some have been interviewed for specific areas, like (Paulette Zonicle for St. Cecilia). Party sources said others, such as attorney Cheryl Bazard and banker Gina Brown, are also under consideration to be candidates, though no area has yet been selected.

May 21, 2010

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International