The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said although Cabinet currently has no agenda to discuss the recent allegations against National Insurance Board Director Algernon Cargill, the allegations are being dealt with “very seriously.”

Mr Christie was speaking outside Cabinet yesterday morning when he explained that the allegations would be dealt with by NIB and Labour Minister Shane Gibson.

The allegations against Mr Cargill first came to light after a letter sent to Mr Gibson by NIB Chairman Gregory Moss was published on a local website.

In the letter, Mr Moss said the NIB board decided to terminate the employment of Mr Cargill for alleged “misconduct.” He also noted that Mr Gibson is supposed to have indicated that any termination of an NIB Director should be made in concurrence with Cabinet.

Yesterday, Mr Christie said: “This matter rests with the minister responsible, I don’t know where people got the idea from that

cabinet will make a decision on it. I obviously set the cabinet agenda and I know what is before Cabinet.”

Mr Christie explained a full report is given to the Minister and he can choose to bring the report to the attention of the Prime Minister who will determine if it is necessary to bring it to Cabinet but - “the board itself has the power.”

“Any board,” said Mr Christie, “that makes such a decision would have to explain that to the Prime Minister of the Bahamas – the Minister would have to explain to the Prime Minister and I, quite frankly, would not understand any sort of situation.”

On all matters having to do with NIB, Mr Christie continued, it’s a matter of hearing the allegations, investigating the allegations to determine the truth, and “doing as justice requires” and giving someone the opportunity to speak in defence.

“It is a very, very serious position for the lead person at National Insurance – the director – they are very serious allegations, but we have to ensure that when we deal with this matter the Minister will know and that we have to deal with it properly,” he said.

“The leader of the opposition also put up questions in Parliament with respect to the National Insurance Board and the chairman. All of these are matters that, as Prime Minister, I have to put them to the Parliament to determine what the facts are so that we may make the right decision with respect to those things. As long as we are satisfied that the matter is under investigation (and) under advisement.”

“Serious allegations,” Mr Christie said, “have been made and they are being dealt with very seriously and we are going to move to a resolution and determine a position on the matter and everyone will know that we’ve acted with fairness and with the necessary dispatch.”

The Prime Minister also criticised the leaking of the letter on-line. He said the circumstances surrounding the leak will be investigated.

“It is always very difficult when people try to force the hand of an administration by leaking information,” he said. “There is always a better way to do it than to leak it, but the fact of the matter is it is what it is and we have to deal with it.”

Also yesterday, Labour Minister Gibson called the leak “disgraceful.” He said it is planned to have independent auditors investigate the situation to “determine whether there is any truth to the allegations.”

Mr Cargill has served as NIB Director since 2008 and was awarded a new four-year contract last year.