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FRIDAY,
AUGUST 22, 2014
by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY THERE IS NO DOUBT that the differences between the ruling Unity Labour Party and the opposition New Democratic Party are widening. General elections are due here no later than March 2016, but the platform is building for a hectic period of campaign. Salvos were unleashed last Tuesday as the House of Assembly met. There were no questions from the Opposition, which served to shorten the time in the House. Debate on a Resolution provided some fireworks as the day wore on. The government pressed to “raise $15 million to liquidate outstanding contributions owed by the government to the National Insurance Fund.” Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves tabled the move and wound up the debate after contributions from across the floor. The Resolution was passed through the government’s majority. The Vincentian leader assured that the National Insurance Service was “sound,” and that all persons entitled to benefits were guaranteed payments. The government plans to make monthly payments of $1.7 from December 2013, according to Gonsalves, and he outlined: “While we are making the payments, we
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intend to keep current with all payments.” The Vincentian leader boasted that the NIS was “liquid,” and that the Treasury Notes which were being made available to the NIS were at 4.5 per cent interest, and the loan was for ten years. He outlined that the NIS had the lowest exposure to its own government than any other such institution in the rest of the Caribbean. “We will continue to ensure viable financial options,” Dr. Gonsalves outlined. He reiterated that government was the guarantor of the NIS financial obligations. “We are not being irresponsible. We are being careful,” he stated. Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace had a different version of the amount the government was owing, and placed his information as close to $23 M. He wanted to know what kind of example the government was setting by not making its contributions to the NIS. “Those funds are needed by the NIS,” Eustace pointed out. Representative for East Kingstown, Eustace suggested that payments to the NIS were not handed over since April 2013, and anticipated an answer when the Prime Minister wound up.
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Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves and Opposition Leader Hon. Arnhim Eustace in deep conversation when the House of Assembly convened on Tuesday. Eustace was also worried that he had not seen any Actuarial Report as required by the law. “That has to be corrected,” the opposition leader declared. Senator Luke Browne argued that the Resolution “will improve the position of the NIS.” He praised the Board of Management and disclosed that the Resolution will “ensure that the NIS has cash to pay.” Browne was interrupted by Central Kingstown’s Leacock who took issue with the Senator’s argument.
Leacock’s party colleague Dr Godwin Friday admitted that Browne’s contribution upset him, and that it went against logic. Leacock, in his contribution, found it “unfortunate” that the NIS should be a reason for debate. “The NIS is not the problem. It’s management by the government,” Leacock chimed. He asked who to believe, whether it was opposition leader Eustace, or Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. As far as Leacock was
concerned: “some explanation is needed.” He suggested that “We have to fix the economy... and have more people working.” The tension across rose as the debate went on. And the Speaker had to intervene. “This is the tip of the iceberg,” Leacock asserted. He warned that “it is going to get worse before it gets better.” Transport Minister Julian Francis expressed “disappointment” at the opposition’s contribution. Continued on Page 7.