Griffin Highlights Failures of the 2009/2010 Budget
Published: Saturday June 13th, 2009
Continuing with the view that the 2009/2010 Budget lacks "hope and inspiration", PLP Yamamcraw MP Melanie Griffin took the government to task for the various reductions surely meant to hamper the delivery of services in the social arena. Mrs. Griffin warned that with the current government, "its not what they say, its what they don't say".
She also took time in her presentation to question the Minister of Health on his approach to the crisis with the Nurses. For almost a week, nurses have been involved in a work stoppage over the government's refusal to honor an agreement for health insurance for these frontline care givers. Mrs. Griffin also went back to the question she has been asking of this government in every budget debate: What about the Children? The Child Protection Act is yet to be brought in to force.
You may read Mrs. Griffin's full presentation to the House of Assembly below.
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
2009/2010 BUDGET MONDAY, JUNE 8TH, 2009
TALKING POINTS MRS. MELANIE S. GRIFFIN, MP - YAMACRAW OPPOSITION SPOKESPERSON ON SOCIAL SERVICES
Introduction Mr. Speaker, as always, I am grateful to Almighty God and the residents of Yamacraw for the opportunity to serve in this place. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously and I am committed to carrying it out to the best of my ability for as long as I am privileged to do so.
General Overview of 2009/2010 Budget Mr. Speaker, to say that we are living in some very difficult times is indeed an understatement. In fact the economic devastation we currently face appears to be unprecedented. It also appears that no one really knows how to deal with it and what to do to bring us out of it. One moment the Government is saying let’s spend and the next moment they are saying let’s hold the line. One minute they are saying our economy is able to be decoupled from that of the United States for the first time in our history and the next they are saying we have to wait for President Obama and the rest of the world to turn things around. In the midst of all the uncertainty, Mr. Speaker, one thing is certain; we are indeed up the proverbial “creek without a paddle.”
In these circumstances though, Mr. Speaker, I believe everyone expects that some unpopular measures must be taken to help us to weather the storm. We are a strong, talented and resourceful people, Mr. Speaker and God has brought us from a mighty long way. With his help, we will make it - the question is not if, but when. On the way through the storm though, Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to ensure the well being of the most vulnerable among us. To do this we must realize that people are more important than things. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure this 2009/2010 Budget does that.
My overview of this budget Mr. Speaker is that first of all it lacks vision. In this context vision is defined as a great perception of future developments and the ability to see or plan into the future. This Government has demonstrated through its Stop, Review and Cancel Policy that it has no vision or that its vision is very limited. It doesn’t matter how much they deny their strong embrace of this policy, the facts are there to substantiate the impact of this policy on the economy and I will demonstrate its impact on Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, this budget lacks hope and inspiration. While it very ably sets out the doom and gloom of our situation, which it must, it is short on providing hope and inspiration and reminding our people about our indomitable, resilient spirit. A spirit which has served us for generations and which I have no doubt will serve us for generations to come when we will look back these very times and thank God for how he brought us through.
Mr. Speaker, this budget is also very deceiving and I’m not sure we can take it at face value. This isn’t unusual for this Government, Mr. Speaker, as it is often said about them, that it is not what they say, it is what they don’t say that you need to watch out for. An example of this is how they levied all those increased duties on the Bahamian people last year through the Excise tax exercise.
In this very budget, Mr. Speaker, when you look at the provisions for Family Island Operations which have all been cut under each Head, you are told that the cut does not represent a reduction in funding to the family islands, it is just that the funds will now be paid by the Treasury in Grand Bahama and not the Family Island Administrator as was the case. At face value, Mr. Speaker, this explanation may be legitimate; however, when you check the Treasury’s Head you do not find any corresponding increase, only further cuts. When you check the individual items you think the funding may have gone to, again there is no corresponding increase. Perhaps, the Minister of Finance can show us where the corresponding increases are for the cuts to Family Island Operations under this budget. When you look at the Social Service allocations in this Budget, Mr. Speaker, we have been told over an repeatedly that Social Services is “holding the line”, but the reality is that the Social Service portfolio includes: The Ministry of Labour & Social Development (Head 70), The Department of Social Services (Head 44), The Simpson Penn Centre for Boys (Head 41) and The Willamae Pratt Centre for Girls (Head 42). The allocations for the WPC has been cut by $279,283 and SPC’s by $245, 358, a reduction of over half a million dollars ($524,641). Of course we are aware that the Department of SS has held the line, but many of the items have been adjusted and we will look at the implications of the cuts at WPC & SPC as well as adjustments in the Department.
Mr. Speaker, I saw an article in one of the daily periodicals where it was reported that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development had its allocation “nearly quadrupled”. This is clearly not the case. The fact is that the increase noted is a result of ministerial portfolio alignment and if you look in the Head for the Ministry of Health, you will see a corresponding reduction in the provisions for the increase in the Ministry of Labour and Social Development. Again though it is very deceiving and no one makes a correction so the public is given whether knowingly or unknowingly the wrong information.
Another fallacy of this Budget Mr. Speaker is the effort by each Minister to make the Bahamian people believe that the cuts will not impact the work of their ministries. One by one you hear them parroting that the “core mandate” of the ministry will be met or that they will do “More for less”. Mr. Speaker, while this is a noble intent, the reality is it is not going to happen, even with the best of intentions. The system just does not work like that. The fact is that even for the core mandate, the monies have never been enough, so when you cut the funding, there must be an impact. Mr. Speaker not even the President of the Public Service Union believed that one.
Mr. Speaker, I got a call from Grand Bahama yesterday, from someone who had heard the presentation made by the Member for Golden Isles.
Apparently, the Member during his presentation referred to this “More for less” slogan that I heard from some of his other colleagues as well. Well I know this is probably their attempt at messaging, but Mr. Speaker, the caller was not very impressed with or pleased with the message. First of all, it is not a very “credible” or “believable” message, in fact it is not even being said with much conviction by the various members, but the caller, Mr. Speaker, wanted to know if members opposite were really in tune with what was happening in Grand Bahama. He said they are talking about “more for less”; ask them “what do you do when you have nothing”.
In Social Services Mr. Speaker, many areas are already struggling with shortage of funds, particularly in the Family Islands and not just because of the increased levels of assistance that must be given in these tough economic times, but it is also my understanding that the increases in the amount of assistance paid which came into effect last October brought its own share of pressures – often funding ran out and the length of time taken for the arrival of new funding was lengthy and further, new funding was also insufficient. So Mr. Speaker, Ministers could say anything, the ground or the trenches tell a different story.
In talking about “core mandate”, Mr. Speaker, I will also demonstrate how the Minister of State for Social Services misled the public when I discuss the movements in allocation in the Department of Social Services. Mr. Speaker, tough times call for tough decisions and certainly that is what Governments are called on to do, but one of my concerns is whether or not the Government is focused on the right priorities in this Budget. You see, Mr. Speaker, often in tough economic times the social ministries bear the brunt of the cuts - ministries that deal with – Education, Social Services, Health, Law & Order, Youth & Sports, Community Development, Rehabilitative Welfare Services, the Family and Disability Affairs. We have to ask the question what are the implications of cutbacks in these areas, Mr. Speaker? Particularly on a society already overwhelmed by social ills. It can only mean increased levels of social degradation and the continued break down of the very core of our existence as a people – to be able to live in peace and security, not having to be looking over your shoulder all the time because someone is coming to invade your space and take what little you have by any means and in the attempt leave you or your family dead or maimed in some way.
Mr. Speaker, Social Service is more than just doling out assistance, it is the provision of services, interventions and programmes designed to change human behavior and build impact human capital development. That is why, Mr. Speaker, “people must be more important than things”.
So we look at the nurses, Mr. Speaker, and we think that because of the critical economic times we are in, they do not have public opinion on their side for what they are doing. So we allow the Minister to attack them in a place where they cannot respond and make them seem unreasonable in their demands. But we must put ourselves in their place and wonder how they feel when they have been waiting for something for a long time, it has been delayed previously and finally at the time of delivery, they are “told” they are unlikely to get it. They are not asked if they would work with the Government, they are “told” they are unlikely to get either the increase or the health insurance. Where is the mutual agreement in that scenario? Why can’t calmer heads prevail? Why can’t we take the politics out of it and sit down with the Nurses and obtain a proper agreement?
Why can’t we negotiate with them that may be they can’t get the increase now, but they can get the health insurance? Don’t we know the risks these fine nightingales take to ensure our needs are met when we come into their care? Do we know how important that health insurance is to them? Do we know what it means for them to see three of their colleagues die of unknown diseases in the last five years? Do you know how they feel when they take ill and have to be handled in the way the Minister said a veteran former nursing officer had to be treated? And yes Minister, there is the sick room on the Antenatal Ward and even though they have to pay, they are grateful for it, but the room only has one bed and the nurse must use the public restroom. As for the three rooms with baths, when there are more than three nurses who require the rooms, it presents a problem. Further I have been asked if the Minister could advise where these rooms are located and how big they are. Furthermore, health insurance is more than just hospital care, its being able to attend regular doctors’ visits, access medications in the private sector, etc.
“People are more important than things”, Mr. Speaker. How do we think these women feel when the decision is taken to give some others increases, but not them? How must they feel when the decision is taken to build roads and leave them high and dry again? We should treat these dedicated and hardworking members of this very vital profession with respect, Mr. Speaker. In fact I believe they should be made a part of the essential services. I am sure the Minister is aware of their value and I am sure he is also aware that many of them love their work and are committed to their work. I believe even at this stage they would be willing to sit down and discuss a mutually agreed position.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Mr. Speaker, I want to look now at the Heads that make up Social Services: Head 41 – Simpson Penn Centre for Boys Mr. Speaker, I am advised that there are approximately 36 residents at this Centre at this time. My major concern here is about staff coverage. I see where the Personal Emoluments & Allowances have been cut by $109, 876 and that seemingly there are no new appointments and no promotions. I also note that there appears to have been no significant increase in staffing levels in two years. In an institution where security and supervision is always a challenge this is cause for concern, particularly, when the allocation for the external security company which augments the staff of the Centre has been cut by more than 50% as well.
Head 42 – Willamae Pratt Centre for Girls I am advised that there are approximately 21 to 23 residents at this Centre, Mr. Speaker. It seems the numbers at both places are down, Mr. Speaker. With the prevailing social situation, I don’t know if this is good or bad. I had started a system of early release for good behavior, particularly for residents who were sentenced for a number of years, but we made sure they were ready for release. Before they left, Mr. Speaker I personally met with them and their parents where we counseled prayed with them. I also sent letters to their Pastors, enlisting the assistance of the Church in helping these children to re-adjust to their environment. We also gave each child a copy of Pastor Neil Ellis’ book, “Appreciating Your Personal Value”. I don’t know if this is still in place, but I am very suspect of the low numbers at the centres, although I acknowledge there could be a legitimate reason for it.
There is also the same concern with the cut in Personal Emoluments & Allowances by $218, 551 which will impact on staffing levels in face of ongoing challenges in security and supervision. Again the allocation for the external security company service has been cut by some 40%; this at an institution with a history of abscondments and girls with deviant behavior.
Mr. Speaker, I am also concerned that the provision for a Consultant Psychologist to address the psychological problems of the residents of both centers was taken out of the 08/09 Budget and I don’t see it in this Budget. The work of the Consultant Psychologist was very important in addressing the issues that accompanied these youngsters who came from such varied background and traumatic and life changing experiences. These are our children, Mr. Speaker, and if we want to give them the best opportunity to resume a normal life when they return to their home and communities, we have got to ensure they have this dedicated intervention.
Head 44 – Department of Social Services
Mr. Speaker, this is the “Big Kahuna” of Social Services – the Head that deals with one of the major core mandates of Social Services with a budget of $39,167,977. Here again Personal Emoluments and Allowances have been cut by $1,004,767.00. I am aware that the staff is very concerned about pending promotions, regularization of employment and the Career Path which I began work on when I was there. The Career Path was designed to address the anomalies in the system and bring social workers on par with labour officers. I know the Rt.Hon. Member for North Abaco indicated in his presentation on Monday that these would be paid, but the provision in the Budget for the Career Path and promotions has been cut. Perhaps he would wish to advise where the provision for these payments is in the Draft Estimates.
The same applies for the new and additional employment which has been promised to Social Services and which I have been advocating for over the last two years. I will reserve my commendations, Mr. Speaker, until I receive word that these promises have been delivered or at least there is some movement in towards it.
I note that there is a new item (521821) which removes the foster care programme from Item 521810 and provides it with its own funding. This makes sense in light of the assistance increases in October from both these Items.
I think I should note, Mr. Speaker, that during the 08/09 Budget Debate, I indicated that the provisions in certain items could not cover the increases in assistance anticipated. At the time I could not get an answer from the Minister of State as to what the increases would be. Obviously they had no idea at the time. The increases came in October 2008 and exceeded the provisions made in the Budget and this created a problem in meeting demand for the increased assistance. I am happy that the Government is now doing its juggling act to ensure that the provisions are adequate to meet the funding required.
I have several other questions in this Head, Mr. Speaker, but I think I will leave them until we get to the Heads.
I want to take some time Mr. Speaker to address comments made by the Minister of State in a Tribune article of May 29th, 2009 which I contend were misleading.
When asked about cuts to the Department’s Poverty Alleviation Programme and the allocation for the “not yet operational Centre for Children with Disabilities (Cheshire Home)” the Member for Montagu told the media that both projects had “yet to fully get off the ground” and that their full development was being postponed because of “difficult economic conditions”.
While the Poverty Alleviation allocation was a new Item under this administration for two years, The Minister of State did nothing with the monies Mr. Speaker. Members may recall that she reported in this place last year that she made a payment to the Sea Hauler Victims from that Item and sent funds I think it was to Grand Bahama. Another year has passed and nothing has been done with this money in the face of Bahamians facing some of the most unprecedented levels of poverty and deprivation ever experienced in this country. Further, Mr. Speaker, the Member would have met in place in the Ministry of Social Services plans well on their way for a poverty alleviation programme – we called it Social Safety Net Reform - for which this money could have been used. The records would reflect that I brought this matter to the attention of this Honourable House on more than one occasion and in fact there is a question on the House Agenda about this Project. It is disgraceful, Mr. Speaker, that we have people in need in this country and the Minister cannot complete a programme that was well on the way to improve the quality of life of these persons, as well as utilize the funds allocated for two years. Could it be that this vital Social Services Programme is a casualty of the Stop Review and Cancel Programme. All other provisions for this Programme have been cut from the last Budget. In the case of the Bahamas Centre for Children with Disabilities, Mr.
Speaker, I am absolutely amazed that having met everything in place, a Minister could not even complete renovations and to tell the public that plans were not fully developed is misleading, to put it nicely. But to add insult to injury, to say that “consensus had never really been reached” on “what to do” with the Home and that this home for children with disabilities is not “a priority” is a serious indictment on this Government. Mr. Speaker the official at the Disability Affairs Division of the Department had every right to be surprised at the reduction in funding and certainly was right when he said, “there were a lot of plans.”
Mr. Speaker, during my tenure when I learned of the plight of several children with disabilities living at PMH, I was very concerned. I also received complaints from parents of children with disabilities that they had no one and no where to take their children when they needed to get away and revive themselves in order to continue with their care. The former Prime Minister, the Member for Farm Road was also very concerned about working mothers of children with disabilities who had no where for their children to go while they went to work and had to resort to either carrying the children to work and hiding them in a closet or leaving another sibling home to care for them.
When Cheshire Home became available, the Christie Government purchased it so that we could renovate it to become a Centre for Children with Disabilities, providing day-care, respite care and residential care for children with disabilities. The place was purchased at a good price, the amount of $150,000 keeps coming to mind, we worked out a partnership with the Crippled Children’s Committee at the time to assist with the funding and designs and plans were prepared for the renovations. If you don’t consider that fully developed plans, then may be you will consider the fact that monies for the staffing and operation of the facility were in the 2007/2008 Budget proof enough.
Why are the 11 children with disabilities identified at the PMH to reside at the Center still there, Mr. Speaker? Why do parents still have no respite center for their cwd, and why is the day care center not available to supplement the work of BAPD (Bahamas Association of Physically Disabled) Day care center on the same strip. Is it that the Minister did not consider it a priority? Or is it a casualty of the Stop, Review and Cancel Policy?
Mr. Speaker, when we came to office I met two facilities in various stages of completion in the Ministry for which I was given responsibility. I told my colleagues that after a certain time had passed we had ownership of the problem and could not pass it off as the responsibility of the former government, it was our responsibility to complete them. We were happy to complete the work on the Nazareth Centre in Millennium Gardens and the Naomi Christie Home for the Aged in Jasmine Gardens and today they provide loving shelter and care for their residents.
Again, if you look at the House Agenda for these meetings you will see a question on it about the Center for Children with Disabilities – an unanswered question.
THE CHILD PROTECTION ACT, 2007
Mr. Speaker, several weeks ago the Opposition called for and got the unanimous consent of the members in this Honourable Place for a Select Committee to look into certain sexual abuses at a school in Grand Bahama. More recently the Member for Englerston stood on principle on a matter of National Importance regarding the alleged death of a 15 year old boy in Police custody and was blocked from raising it in this place at that time to the point of being “named” and suspended.
We also see daily in the media, Mr. Speaker, countless reports of children being sexually molested and abused. Just recently there was the report that a five month old baby was molested and the outrage generated by that report was extensive. While I was most relieved to find out that that particular incident was not true, it doesn’t ease the pain that these things do happen and much of it goes unreported.
We also have the spectacle of teen-age pregnancy ever on the increase. It seems like these girls are getting younger and younger. We have got to take a stand and we must work together to protect our children.
Mr. Speaker, I have called for the coming into force of the Child Protection Act which was unanimously passed by members in the Honourable Place from day of the new government, to no avail. I have done the talk shows, various meetings and again raised the matter in this place and yes, if you check the Agenda, you will see a question there on the matter – unanswered.
During my tenure as Minister of Social Services, with the help of Social Services and the National Child Protection Council, I traveled the length and breadth of this Country raising the level of awareness and educating children, parents and the general public of the ugly scourge of child abuse. I warned that much of the social problems in this country were a result of children who were abused and without any psychological intervention had become a menace to society. I warned that these abuses continually unchecked would come back to haunt us. Every time I raise it Mr. Speaker, members opposite want to know, why we didn’t bring it into force? It’s been two years now, Mr. Speaker, who has ownership of it? The persons who have the power to bring it into force is my answer.
But Mr. Speaker, I want the record of this place to reflect that when we were voted out of office in 2007, we were well on our way to bringing this legislation into force. Meetings were held, decisions were made on what new units had to be put in place to comply with the provisions of the legislation and most of all, Mr. Speaker, proposals were made for the 2007/2008 Budget, some of which made it into the new government’s approved budget for 2007/2008. Yet for two years this act remained on the shelf while our children and families suffered. (Read some highlights of provisions of Act – Children Held in Police Care, Minor’s Advocate, Affiliations Proceedings)
Thank God, Mr. Speaker, that international pressure was able to join with national pressure to convince the Government to bring the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) Act, 2007 into force last November. The Rt. Hon. Member for North Abaco said from his seat yesterday when this matter was raised by the Member for Englerston that “it’s coming” and we will certainly hold him to that. While we know that legislation is not the answer to every problem, we believe this legislation will go a long way in dealing with a good many of them. I will continue to agitate until this Act is brought into force. Through you to the Rt. Hon. Member for North Abaco, Mr. Speaker, I ask the question, What about the Children? Let us always remember the children, they are our future.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES) BILL, 20007
This is another piece of legislation for which I’ve been advocating, Mr. Speaker. Due to the fact that the consultations were not completed, we did not get it to this Honourable place. I understand, however that some further work is being done on it and hopefully it will be ready soon. I will continue to hold the Government’s feet to the fire on behalf of persons with disabilities throughout this Country.
Mr. Speaker, we must never forget that people are more important than things.
BUSINESS LICENCE
Mr. Speaker, I want to raise a matter that I think will be helpful to all business persons and I think I had better declare my interest as the Firm Manager of a small business. I have been advised, Mr. Speaker, that the Business licence process allows only “cost of sales items” to be used to determine what is paid in fees. Service firms are only allowed 50% of the income to be used as cost of sales whether or not the service organization is paying as much as 75 to 80% of its costs to employees. Service firms, it seems therefore end up paying double what other firms pay for business licence fees.
The Government may wish to give some consideration to allowing up to 75% of compensation costs for employees of service firms. This would greatly assist in reducing the cost of business licences and in some cases provide funding to hire additional employees.
Further, Mr. Speaker, Employee benefits are not included as an allowable deduction for any companies, service firms or non-service firms. As an encouragement to employers to provide health insurance for their employees, Government may wish to allow them to claim this as an allowable expense. In these times when many business persons are cutting back or withdrawing employee benefits, some consideration should be given to providing some assistance to employers by at the very least attaching the cost of health insurance as an allowable expense for business licence purposes.
EVENTS OF JUNE 3RD, 4TH & 8TH, 2009
On another matter, Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I too was shocked by the events that transpired in this House on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009. I, like many others, were of the view that we had long ago left behind the dark days of Black Tuesday when a UBP Speaker ordered the Police to forcibly remove two Bahamian heroes from this Chamber, my Mother told me of those days as she was among the Straw Vendors from Rawson Square who would come running to the House whenever injustices were perpetrated against the Opposition of the day.
Mr. Speaker, what I found so amazing about the entire situation was that while the member for Englerston was on her feet, she stated that she wanted to bring up another matter, without evening hearing what the matter was, she was denied the opportunity to speak and was told to take her seat. Mr. Speaker, the Member of Parliament for Englerston is a responsible member of this House; she has spoken on behalf of the poor and marginalized on many occasions, right in here. I believe she was treated unfairly and not accorded the rights and privileges of an elected member of this Honourable place.
The matter at hand, Mr. Speaker was a matter that should have been raised in this place. In fact I thought the Member for Mt. Moriah would have raised it himself. It was very cowardly of him, to orchestrate the incident he did in this place and then go right outside these precincts and comment on the matter to reporters – simply trying to do damage control.
Mr. Speaker, I commend the Member for Englerston for the stand she took and I say it is positions and stands like that taken by our forefathers and foremothers that have assured all of us the very spot we stand on in this place today, even the member for Eight Mile Rock, who would have us be jelly-backed and weak-kneed in the face of injustice. To her and all the critics who have their own special interest agendas, I say, No! No! A thousand times, NO!
As a matter of interest, Mr. Speaker, I might note that one tabloid indicated that the young boy’s mother was a relative of Mr. Franklyn Wilson. I wish to advise that this is indeed not the case.
Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about the many times the members of the Opposition are denied opportunities to either raise matters or seek clarification on some matters raised by the Government. This was done not only to the Member of Parliament for Englerston, but to the Members of Parliament for Farm Road/Centreville and Bain Town/Grants Town on the afternoon of June 4th, 2009 when they tried to defend the Member for Englerston in her absence.
I also raise another matter, which I spoke to you about privately, but which I think I should raise publicly for the record since you “scolded me” on the record. I was absolutely astounded when the Member for Fox Hill and I were reprimanded like school children for not having stood when you were exiting the Chamber on June 4th, 2009. When you did so, I rose to give an explanation, but you outright denied me the right to explain or defend myself. I meant no disrespect, Mr. Speaker, but I believe you should have afforded me the opportunity to explain once you had raised the matter publicly. This only confirms and affirms the fact that we have to be more respectful of each other in this honourable place. Each of us is an elected represented of the people, we could not cross that bar, if it were not so. We were elected to speak on behalf of the persons we represent. One side proposes and the other side opposes, that is the nature of our system. In opposing there will be times when the Opposition requires additional latitude than the rules permit. The rules and conventions arm the Speaker with wide discretion to accommodate this latitude.
My final word on this, Mr. Speaker is to the writers of the various editorials in the newspapers who criticized the Opposition for what transpired. They all allege that the Opposition disobeyed and disrespected the rules of the House. While I do not expect any better from them, they should know that there are many rules in our Rules and Procedures that are broken every time we sit. One that comes to mind is the one requiring that we ought not to read our speeches. That is disregarded from the Rt. Honourable Prime Minister on down. Why is that rule not enforced? We cannot be selective when it comes to applying the Rules. Perhaps the newspapers should do some research and find out who began the tradition and habit of reading speeches as a matter of course. I think the results of the search would be enlightening. I am told by former members that the habit became a regular feature of this House around the early 1990s.
So Mr. Speaker, I end where I began this part of my contribution. I was shocked to witness that we had reverted to the UBP days of forcibly removing members of this House. As I stated before, many former presiding officers of this House found ways to bring order in the chamber without resorting to such extreme measures. I think it would augur well for us all, if the current chair would give some consideration to the same.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Principal, Staff, Parents and Graduating Class of 2009 of the Thelma Gibson Primary School. The graduation was held, as always at Zion Yamacraw Baptist Church, Yamacraw Hill Road. My colleague from Elizabeth and I both attended and as always when I am among children, it is such a beautiful experience. The children were all so talented and wish to salute the Teachers who worked so hard to get them to where they are today.
I also congratulate the Eastern Community Association, formerly the Yamacraw Community Development Association on the hosting of their Fifth Annual Community Festival on Saturday, May 30th, 2009. Indeed a fun time was had by all and all the Members of Parliament from the East showed up to celebrate with them – Elizabeth, Fox Hill, St. Anne’s and Yamacraw.
I also want to once again thank the fine residents of Yamacraw, Mr. Speaker, on whose behest I come to this place. By now you will have heard that the Constituency funding we got previously for capital projects in the area has not been provided in this 2009/2010 Budget, but we are grateful for what was previously provided and what works and programmes we were able to achieve in the area with it. You know that Yamacraw is very resourceful and will try to continue these efforts as we did before the funding was in place and hopefully when things get better, the funding will resume.
Just in case I don’t get the opportunity to speak again in this place before the day, let me wish all the Fathers of Yamacraw and the rest of The Bahamas a Happy Fathers’ Day, whether you are biological father, an adoptive father or a mentor. May God bless you all and may you be fathers indeed.
CONCLUSION I conclude now by reminding us all in this honourable place, that people are more important than things. We ought to remember that in all that we do. You could pave roads from now to Kingdom Come, it is something we will always have to do and that it is important to do, but when it comes to choosing between bricks and mortar and human capital development, let us always choose to build our people, our children, they are our most precious resources.
If we don’t do our best for them, they will do their worst to us! Mr. Speaker, Yamacraw supports the 2009/2010 Budget.