Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service Fred Mitchell last night accused former prime minister Hubert Ingraham of being greedy and unconscionable and said that his pension and benefits must be revisited.
“After all, this was the same man who stopped all pensioners rehired and working for the government from receiving their pension and salary too,” said Minister Mitchell, who was addressing delegates attending the third night of the Progressive Liberal Party’s 49th national convention at the Wyndham Nassau Resort on Cable Beach.
Various cabinet ministers have been slamming Mr. Ingraham during the convention for his decision to return to the frontline, changing his mind and running for the leadership of the Free National Movement during the FNM convention last week.
Minister Mitchell told delegates that when the former prime minister formally assumes the position of leader of the Official Opposition, he will be collecting from the Public Treasury $100,000 as a retired prime minister; $28,000 as a member of parliament; $50,000 as leader of the Official Opposition; and $18,000 as a parliamentary office allowance.
“The grand total of what he will collect from the Treasury will then be $196,000,” he noted. “Compare that $196,000 to a retired politician to the working prime minister, the Right Honourable Perry Christie, who receives the sum of $146,000 per year.”
It should be noted, however, that Mr. Ingraham has tabled proof in the House of Assembly that he has not been collecting his salary as an MP although government officials have said the money belongs to him and the Treasury has no authority to withhold it.
It’s a point the Minister made in his speech last night.
“Do not be fooled by the story that the former prime minister is not accepting his salary and is writing cheques back to the Treasury to repay the $28,000 salary to the government because he does not want it,” he said.
“It is not possible in law to refuse to accept your salary, and whether he claims it or not, the money is his; it is being paid to him. If he does not collect it, his estate can claim it when he passes away.”
Minister Mitchell claimed that research shows that shortly before the election of 2002, Mr. Ingraham’s cabinet met and agreed to provide former prime ministers the payment of a utility or housing allowance of $1,500 per year: the provision of a diplomatic passport; access to the government’s VIP lounge at Nassau International Airport; and access to an official car for appropriate events in The Bahamas.
Additionally, he said the cabinet also agreed to provide former prime ministers with the provision of security by the Royal Bahamas Police Force when necessary; and provision of one aide.
“Further, Mr. Ingraham’s cabinet agreed to provide for him when attending public functions to be in the order of precedence immediately after the leader of the Official Opposition,” Minister Mitchell said.
He further claimed that Mr. Ingraham’s personal assistant who works with him in his law firm is being paid at the public’s expense.
Minister Mitchell also told delegates that Mr. Ingraham’s cabinet agreed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to notify appropriate officials in foreign countries when he is traveling abroad; the Family Island administrators are also to be notified when he is traveling to their islands.
“And he accuses us of being interested in perks,” Minister Mitchell said. “Physician heal thyself. The question must now be asked if he is to get $196,000 per year plus all of those perks, what more does he want? Is he now coming back for more?”
Minister Mitchell then announced that the government has decided to increase the pensions of retired public servants with effect from July 1, 2005.
Each pensioner in the Christmas pension packet will see an increase of $50 per month for all retired and re-employed public servants and a $30 per month increase to war veterans and widows and orphans.
“The Ministry of Finance has made a commitment to review the pension every year so that the pensions can keep pace with the expected rises in the cost of living,” Minister Mitchell informed. “I really wish we could have done more, but I hope that this additional sum helps.”
By: Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
