The Tribune

THE opposition has hit out at Prime Minister Perry Christie, accusing him of not believing in Bahamian professionals.

In a statement issued yesterday, the FNM attacked Mr Christie’s announcement that he wants an independent actuarial assessment of the National Insurance Fund.

The party said: “The Prime Minister continues his frontal assault on Bahamian professionals. Once again, no professional advice has merit unless validated from a foreign consultant.”

The FNM believes Mr Christie spoke on the NIB controversy – sparked by claims and counterclaims between director Anthony Cargill and new chairman Greg Moss, concerning the use of funds – before being fully briefed on the issue.

“The FNM is satisfied that the current actuary continues to meet all the professional and technical requirements to meet the needs of the board. Engagement of an outside firm at this time would not be money well spent,” the statement said.

“With no acknowledgement whatsoever of what a royal mess his home-grown leadership team of NIB minister and chairman have made of the corporation, Prime Minister Perry Christie continues to reveal his true contempt for Bahamian professionals by maintaining his default position of expressing little or no confidence in their skills and abilities.

“He does deserve credit for consistency. When it comes to his disrespect for Bahamian professionals, no one will ever be able to accuse Prime Minister Christie of being inconsistent.

“Seven months into his second term as Prime Minister, the PM has not wavered. No opinion is worth anything until it has the stamp of approval from one of his hand-picked foreign consultants.”

Calling this approach “insulting and counterproductive” the FNM said Mr Christie must believe people are not smart enough to see what he is doing.

NIB has a contractual relationship with the existing internal actuary, the opposition pointed out.

“In addition to his service to NIB, he provides services to eight other countries in the region. He is eminently qualified.

The party said NIB has been completing formal actuary reviews on five year cycles with the previous two completed for 2001 and 2006.

The review for 2011 is in draft form and has been circulated for review. The existing actuary completed the last two reviews that were presented to Parliament and the one presently awaiting finalisation.

The FNM said previous reports pointed out in detail what needs to be done to ensure NIB remains financially sound and free of political interference.