5th November 2009
On the state of the Public Service

 
The comments of the Minister of National Security at the FNM’s convention last night 4th November about the Police, the Defence Force and the Prison Service were disgraceful.

His personal attack on former Superintendent of Police Keith Bell was inappropriate and unseemly.

Instead of the apology which is required from the Free National Movement for their decimating the public service since they came to office, we had the resort to the same old story of the blame game: it’s the PLP’s fault.

Mr. Turnquest did not answer how his government has consistently sought to use the organs of the state to attack their political opponents since coming to office.

Mr. Turnquest did not admit that it was his government that rushed to judgment and sent police officers customs, officers and immigration officer’s home summarily and without notice, disrespecting their service to the country on the false pretext of reform and cleaning up corruption.

Even as Mr. Turnquest was speaking, his government needs to say why a Bahamian is not going to obtain the post of Director of Public Prosecutions confirm the reports that the government is actively recruiting a lawyer outside the country for the job of Director of Public Prosecutions.  There are 1038 lawyers in The Bahamas and there is no need to do so.

The Minister did not admit that after two and a half years in office, the prison promotions are not complete and there is still discord in the prison service about the policies of the FNM administration.

Since the FNM has come to power their mantra has been blame the PLP for everything.  Even as this statement is being issued, there are reports that security staff at airports in the Family Islands have not been paid allegedly because the government has not provided for their salaries in the budget.

I have since spoken with the Department of Public Service and been informed that the vouchers for payment are being processed at the Treasury.  The payment should be received shortly by the employees, but I use this opportunity to call for these employees to be made permanent and pensionable.

Instead of blaming the PLP, the Minister and his FNM colleagues ought to apologize for their behavior and promise to do better as we await their last days in office.