Adderley Calls for Greater Unity in Lottery Discussion
Published: Saturday June 13th, 2009
In his contribution to the 2009/2010 Budget Debate, PLP MP for Elizabeth Malcolm Adderley used his time to tackle three areas of great concern to him. He called on the government and the country at large to have a greater sense of community in the fight against crime, suggesting a greater concentration on social intervention.
The Elizabeth MP also made suggestions on how the banking industry could be tweaked to level the playing field for Bahamians, especially now in these tough economic times. Mr. Adderley rounded out his remarks by taking on the issue of lotteries for Bahamians. He questioned the view by some that instituting a lottery would change the social fabric of this nation. Mr. Adderley cited the example of our neighbours in Jamaica and their integration of the proceeds from the lottery into their national development and he called on a bipartisan approach to bringing the discussion of lotteries forward.
You may read Mr. Adderley's contribution below.
CONTRIBUTION
BY
MALCOLM E. ADDERLEY, JR. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ELIZABETH
TO
2009/2010 BUDGET DEBATE
11TH JUNE, 2009
NASSAU, N. P., BAHAMAS
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUDGET MALCOLM E. ADDERLEY, JR. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ELIZABETH CONSTITUENCY Dated 11th June, 2009
MR. SPEAKER!
I stand before this Honourable House by the grace of God and the Good will and support of those honest, decent and hardworking people of the Great Constituency of Elizabeth-who have been my strength and inspiration over these seven (7) turbulent and challenging political years.
MR. SPEAKER! Just before I make my Contribution to the Budget communication, I would like to speak to my Constituents and appraise them of what is happening in Elizabeth.
I. My dear Constituents in the ANITA CLOSE AREA you would be aware by now that I have already signed off for the COMPLETE INSTALLATION OF A DRAINAGE WALL that would effectively correct the flooding that has been a problem for the Residents in your area for some time.
II. My Constituents in the MELTHORNE AND PINEYARD ROAD AREAS-I have signed off and set in motion the construction and installation of a new park with a number of Commercial playground equipment-your park will have swing sets, a slide set, a monkey-bar, a double see-saw-picnic tables and several benches.
III. My Constituents in the EAST GATE PARK AREA-you also will shortly have a brand new park that will cater to the families and especially the young children in the area. Your park also will consist of one four seater swing set, a slide set, monkey-bar, a double see-saw, picnic tables and park benches. I should mention that both parks will be enclosed by chain link fencing to prevent persons from driving their vehicles onto the playing areas in order to secure the children and the equipment on site.
IV. My Constituents who live in ELIZABETH ESTATES-your park is the largest and the one that is most established. You now have toilet facilities for male and female on the park; new blenches have been installed around the basketball court. At the moment, we are hoping to have a 400 meters/six (6) feet jogging track installed and possibly a pair of Soccer goal posts on the playfield. This will enable the students especially those from the Thelma Gibson School to hopefully practice for track and field and add Soccer to its list of sporting activities.
MR. SPEAKER! V. I am proud to tell the Minister of Education that soon, Thelma Gibson School will also have at least Three (3) of the State of the Art ENO-INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS that he suggested has taken Education to a higher level and which he so proudly announced on Monday that he recently donated to the Charles Saunders Primary School; In addition, they will have at least 10 more flat screen computers with printers to add to their congratulations.
IX. Last but not least, Elizabeth, your Member of Parliament is still actively trying to have a traffic light installed at the intersections of Fox Hill and the Joe Farrington Roads and the other traffic light at the intersection of Bay Lily Drive and Seabreeze Lane. I am still optimistic and hopeful that these goals will be achieved in the near future.
MR. SPEAKER! When one turns to the Budget Sir! it is projected that there will be a Revenue short fall of approximately $260. Million Dollars for the Budget year 2009/2010. This seems to be the reality. As a result of this shortfall, we are told that many programs had to be significantly cut. As I see it, this places the Bahamas in a serious dilemma---Unemployment is expected to rise, the demand on the Social Services Department will increase, monies needed for Health, Education the necessary infrastructure will not be available. I suggest that the picture is not a pretty one and therefore, can be one of doom and gloom; or, it can be seen as a challenge to move forward. Each of us, who has the awesome responsibility of Leadership that goes with the role as Members of this House, will have to decide which road we choose to follow. Let me say, that Elizabeth has no intention of casting blame one way or the other. The fact is, at this point, whatever or whoever is alleged to be responsible, really does not matter what truly matters is that our Bahamian people need as much help and directions as to how best to steer this ship out of the storm and onto the shore. The questions is- What are we going to do?? I mean all of us in and out of these Chambers. The Government has already implemented a number of initiatives with a view to lending assistance. Obviously, these initiatives will not be enough to satisfy the needs. Hopefully, will provide some cushion from these stressful times. But obviously from the cries that we hear----we need to look a little deeper for additional answers. I suggest that our quest needs to be in the directions of some long term solutions. I submit Mr. Speaker that the problems The Bahamas face today is not necessarily entirely due to the current Global Economic crunch. The Global crisis did not just happened.
MR. SPEAKER!
The Economic slump that confronts us did not suddenly come upon us. The condition we now face can be compared to sickness-people normally do not suddenly lay down and die. If one were to check, I almost guarantee that one would find that there were factors present all along that one day come to a head, so to speak, and caused death.
The point is Sir! If we want to be honest, for years most of us have been living as if the Bahamian Economy would always flourish. We have sun, sand and sea and therefore, we felt that we would always have the Tourist dollar. Little thought or effort were geared towards preparation for contingencies like a recession or a massive slowdown of the economy.
The reality Mr. Speaker! Is that we are faced with a Recession-people are hurting and they want answers from all of us in this House.
MR. SPEAKER!
This Nation is looking at each of us……The Bahamas is experiencing a time of uncertainty. The Nation is watching with solemn expectations from the Government and Opposition.
Time is running out, the Bahamian people are looking for Leaders to stand and do their best to find solutions. They are tired of the finger pointing. In fact, whether we realize it or not-we are the proverbial watchmen for the Bahamian people. More and more each day---the people are waiting for a response to the question: “WATCHMEN, WATCHMEN, WHAT IS THE HOUR OF THE NIGHT?”
The Bahamian people expect us to be in a position to respond with reassurances that despite the apparent darkness that threatens to swallow our land----that no matter how long the night….the day is sure to come.
It is my view that it is our duty to show our people that it is not the end of the world AND that we can get through all of this-----once we join hands and work toward a solution.
I submit Sir! that we have an obligation to work things out together. It is a question of National survival and therefore unity.
I suggest that these are times that demand us to analyze our entire society-the homes, the schools, the Churches, financial institutions, all, need a serious stock taking. For too long now, it has been business as usual. This Country suffers from too much selfishness, greed, abuses and corrupt practices.
Maybe Sir! these hard economic challenges might be the catalyst to wake the Bahamian Nation up. We all knew for a long time that we as a people have strayed and have not been in zinc with the moral and ethical standards that once characterized this Country. Our work ethics went out the window long ago. While those who come to us shores, legally or illegally have adopted a spirit that once characterized Bahamians.
In this vain, I suggest that now is the time for us to examine, evaluate and assess our communities-----firstly, starting with ourselves.
MR. SPEAKER! I would like to just give an example of how slowly but surely our communities began to deteriorate and suffered from greed and selfishness.
MR. SPEAKER! During the mid-1985 Mr. Dion Hanna, Michael Dean, Rowena Bethell, Constance MacDonald and I, decided that as young mentors of the legal Profession we had had enough with the way the Bar Association had distanced itself from its social responsibility to the indigent Members of our community-----we felt that the role of Lawyers was to returned to their communities to serve those we left behind. We saw young men in our Country going to Prison for petty crime-----e.g. smoking a joint, a poor mother taking a loaf of bread from the food-store, or a bar of soap, or female napkins because she was unemployed------we saw our young people’s future being threatened. Not that we felt that is was right to smoke a joint or to steal. As persons committed to upholding the Law, we had to maintain the Law. But we felt that with some direction, we could perhaps contribute in some way, to steering young people in a more productive direction. We determined that it was time to step now to give this country a better future. We decided that the Bar Association was useless and that the country needed a real vehicle of change. We decided to change the world-----we theoretically declared a disassociation with the National Bar and formed the BAHAMAS LAW GUILD. I was President, Dion Hanna, Vice-President, Rowena Bethel, Secretary, Michael Dean, Treasurer, Constance MacDonald, Assistant Treasurer. We took over a non functioning program at ZNS called Legal Line and for three (3) whole years provided to the Bahamian public including the Family Islands a weekly program offering legal advice in every area of Law to the public, until we were ran off the air (but that’s another story); We opened, the FIRST AND ONLY REAL LEGAL AID CLINIC. Which for three (3) long hard years, we serviced the area know as BLACK VILLAGE and the surrounding community without any expectations of financial or any reward be it money or political favours. Our vision, our hope that this would have been the beginning of a new day for the Bahamian masses, was short lived. We felt that once the St. Barnabas, Legal Aid Clinic was in full operation we would have been able to extend the Clinic to the KEMP ROAD area-my birth place, but you know what happened?-----you know why we were unable to render the much needed assistance that our people really needed and deserved-and could have saved many young people. Firstly, Sir! Even at that time, the 1980’s we had hundred of Lawyers practicing at the Bar; and with the exception of the five names I mentioned and later, the Member for Englerston, Stephen Isaacs, (now a Justice of the Supreme Court) Miriam Curling and Maxwell Turner who joined us in our efforts------ we could not get one other Lawyer to step up to the plate and join this effort to help the needy. There were a lot of promises but they always had excuses for not being able to help the people------and the sad part is that many of them hold or have held high positions in this land. Mr. Speaker! Sometimes I sit in this Country and listen to the sounds of those who now say they are their brother’s keepers--------I fight the feeling of cynicisms that can so easily creep up in one’s chest. Secondly, Sir! The other obstacle that we faced at the time was accommodations. Initially Arch Bishop Gilbert Thompson, who at the time was the Priest at St. Barnabas Church encouraged us to open the Clinic and generously allowed us to operate the Clinic in the Church’s School room. We had the Church’s full support. But after three (3) years of successful operation, the Church needed the classroom and we had to vacate. The point is Sir! that we went in search of a room in the area hoping to continue the program-------but not one business person in the area who was approached, offered to assist by offering us a space or made a donation to help with a rental area-------despite what we were trying so hard to do. So this is why when I hear people talk about the problems in the Country and who is to blame-----depending who is the messenger, I become very angry, because I remember so vividly those who could have helped, but ignored those who needed help simply walked away----leaving the problem on others shoulders. MR. SPEAKER! Few persons in this Parliament know or understand the Member for Elizabeth-fortunately, many never will-this Member has a view about life that has been formed by his solid exposure to people. His background as a Kemp Road boy, a SAC man, and a Valley Boy has equipped him with the qualities of humility, pride and courage. SAC taught me Mr. Speaker, that service before self is a virtue and the Valley exposed my youthful friends and I to community life, and offered exposure to the Pioneers Sporting Club and the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group----viable youthful organization that built friendship and character. I say that most of you don’t know me but I will tell you a little. When the Valley Boys Group started, I, Steve Sands and Kingsley Clarke in our youthful fearless energetic endeavours were the first young men who were bold enough to carry the mantle as banner boys and dancers. Remember now! at this time, it was taboo for young men to dance on Bay Street and there was a time when they called you a sissy if you carried the banner. But, we knew who and what we were and never were we shy of anything or anybody we danced the night and the morning away. And don’t forget at this time those of us who were bold enough to come on Bay Street to rush were considered low breeds. Lord, my how things changed. Now you would not believe those who now come to me say they come to educate me about Junkanoo.
MR. SPEAKER!
It is my view that each of us must find a way to fight the Nation’s problems. We have this habit whether there is a P.L.P. or a F.N.M. Government in power to abdicate our responsibility to this Country by saying that the problems that confront us belong to whosoever happens to be in the Seat of Government at the time---------this should not be-------Mr. Speaker, I believe that the hottest seat in this House is the one that the Member for St. Cecilia occupied as the Member of National Security in the last Administration and the one which the Member for Mt. Moriah occupies in this Administration. I recall that in the last Administration, the Member for St. Cecilia was called and had to bear the full brunt of criticism for the rise in crime. History is now repeating itself, as Mt. Moriah is suffering the same fate as St. Cecilia. I asked the question is this right? Can we blame these two Members for the trouble we now see? It is my view that it would be very dishonest and hypocritical. You see I don’t play games with people’s reputations.
All of us in this House are WATCHMEN of the future-for the generation which is to come. We are here to secure the future to keep it clean, to keep steady and to keep it good and when the time comes to pass it on to more energetic hands.
MR. SPEAKER! It is my view that one of the root causes of crime is a rootlessness among young people throughout this land. There is an emptiness that is reflected by an almost total disregard and disrespect for this Country and the people of this Country. We know when there is a void in someone life, there is little time for love, respect of others and pride. Our challenge is to bring the youth into the main stream of Bahamian society and reassure them that they have a role to play in this Country. 1. We have a duty to provide a proper healthy environment that would effectively produce---good fathers, good mothers, good citizens--- 2. When I think of the challenges our youth face---my mind, travels to my youth when I spent hours listening to the Iceman---Jerry Butler. Jerry Bulter, the Iceman, says it best, when he says….. I need to belong to someone Its hurts to be known as no one I want to be kissed and held tight I want to be missed on a cold lonely night Someone hear my plea And called out to me
Cause I need to belong to someone Sometimes, I feel like a motherless child No one cares for me I have never known sympathy I hide my needs From the world with a smile But, understand I am only a man- And a man needs to belong
We need to spend more time with the young people----listen to them and hear their plea----perhaps then-----the future for all of us would be more promising and secure.
MR. SPEAKER! On another note we have a reputation as Bahamians, of being a wasteful people who will spend as long as we can borrow and borrow. And then when difficulties come, we look to others to blame. A fellow opinioned the other day that he never understood why Bahamians moved from one location to another, why they found the need to get rid of perfectly good furniture and appliances to finance brand new ones. We are known to be the Bank’s best customers. I am told that Consumer Loans are the Bank’s precious jewels. It is known that this facility pump more profits in the Bank than any other facility. The most popular form of credit are Credit Cards as they are very easy to obtain from the Banks, this expenditure is killing us. Some of us have at least three, four and sometimes five Credit Cards------all of which carry exorbitant interest rates. AND the worst scenario is that in most cases they are up to the maximum limit. On the other hand, the most helpful facility to Bahamians and the most difficult to obtain from the financial institutions are investment loans. There has always been and continue to be complaints from the Bahamian Consumers about how difficult it is to obtain assistance from these institutions for investments purposes; or for most things that could possibly give consumers any economic upliftment. It is believed that annually millions of dollars leave the Bahamas for the home offices of these institutions. The question that we have to ask when one looks at the enormous profits these institutions make-----------is, what contributions do these institutions make to our Country---------especially in times like these--------these financial institutions need to step up now and join the Government in assisting the Bahamian people. This is the time for Banks, Insurance Companies and others who have reaped golden rewards from the Bahamian people to show that they are good Corporate citizens- Mr. Speaker! I cannot think of a better time for them to prove to the Bahamian people their love and gratitude for them.
MR. SPEAKER! In this view, Sir! There still has to be a serious and deliberate approach to this age old question of the practices and policies of the financial institutions including the Insurance Companies--------and how they impact the Bahamian people. This has been a live issue for years and years; but as far as I am aware, there has been no real attempts to resolve the matter with a view to having these institutions address these concerns. This is why in my first term as the Member of Elizabeth I requested in April, 2004 and was granted a SPECIAL HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE to investigate the Policies and Practices of financial institutions and their affects on the Bahamian community. Our committee was comprised of myself as the Chairman, the Member of High Rock who is now the Minister of Housing, Mr. Kenneth Russell, former House Members Sidney Stubbs, Pleasant Bridgewater and Robert Sweeting, the former member for South Abaco--------- At the time, when I requested this select Committee--------in April 2004, it would have been almost five (5) years before this Global Economic crisis came upon us. I did not have any idea that in five years we would have been experiencing an economic crisis. But I knew that it was time that we became proactive. We have this tendency to wait until the crisis is upon us. For years, we were faced with Bahamians losing their jobs, either as a result of a slowdown in the economy of loss of jobs due to health reasons. For years we were aware that in the majority cases, this resulted in undue hardship for families----------breakdown of the family relationships, children having to be taken out of schools, and most of all the lost of the family home as a result of non-payment of outstanding Mortgages. I always felt that these things needed to be addressed with a view to rectifying legitimate grievances I always felt that a slump in economy may come especially in the case of a Country like the Bahamas whose economy is so fragile. It was my view that the entire world, the Global Village, might one day be facing the type of economic plight that we face today. It was my view that the problem may not be particular to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas---------and therefore, we should be proactive and thus begin to initiate some changes that would cushion the impact of a potential downturn--------that would have been appropriate five years ago. With these things in mind, I felt that in the circumstances, what the Country needed was a CONTINGENCY PLAN in place we had stop-gap measures; but the Country needed a long-term plan for the future to meet any possible contingency. It was with these things in mind that I decided to request and obtained a select Committee.
MR. SPEAKER! Our Committee started working immediately; we held forums in Nassau, Abaco and in Grand Bahama. The meetings were well attended and well balanced. There were complaints regarding the treatment of the Local Bahamians, by the financial institutions. There were also much fruitful discussions with constructive recommendations. I submit Mr. Speaker that the discussions and recommendations that came out of the meetings are today relevant, in fact more relevant in view of the economic downturn than they were in August, 2006 when this House select committee laid on the table of this House its final report: The concerns expressed were:- (1) Consumers loans are ridiculous; (2) The need for protection of Homeowners from their homes being sold especially at the discounted prices to the disadvantage of the homeowner; (3) The need to move to examine the interest fees on bank charges i.e. the view is that Bank fees are unconscionable and need to have a cap on them; (4) There is a need for a full review of lending rates, especially on Consumer loans; (5) The need for Banks to have a social responsibility; in the sense that there is no reason why Banks should not defer interest and principal until a Borrower is able to find new employment; (6) It was suggested that the direction to go may be the introduction of INDEMITY INSURANCE that would cover all unforeseen events. It was felt that financial institutions and the Government should lend their assistance in this regard; and (7) The view was expressed that the financial institutions should institute a policy of deferring the Principal until the Borrower is able to get back on his/her feet. In this regard, the financial institutions-------Banks and Insurance Companies should form a Partnership to minimize the effects of the problem. For example, a special account may be set up whereby a small amount of the monthly installment payments will go. The reason being that in case of a default the monies in this account may be used to keep the loan current. On the other hand, at the end of the loan period, whatever, balance is left in the account is to be refunded to the Borrower.
The Report went on to address matters dealing with:-
(1) The Rates of Interest:-
It was felt that the rates of Mortgages need to be addressed and perhaps there need to be an consideration of a ceiling. It was suggested that when calculating the AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE, Consumers pay back almost three (3) times the original Mortgage amount for over a twenty-five (25) year period. It was suggested that Family Guardian Insurance Co. Ltd., lowered its rate to as low as 7¼ %. In order to remain competitive, other Mortgage lenders have followed suit but their rates never went as low.
(2) The second issue of rates related to rates of commercial projects:
It was suggested that most Banks have implemented in their policy, a higher rate for commercial projects. It was suggested that this action is unfair and discriminatory to the investing Consumers. It was felt that the practice should be mandatory for residential and commercial project to be treated identical.
(3) Loan Payments:
In certain unfortunate circumstances, loan payments are paid late by consumers. When payments are late, consumers are assessed fixed late fees plus the interest on the payments is added to the loan. There is a strong view that this action is unfair--------but nonetheless the financial institutions use the excuse that the penalty fees automatically assigned by their loan system and cannot be reviewed. The view is that normally this is not correct and a policy should be in place to eradicate these illegal fees.
What more, the fees are applied to the loan and work to the disadvantage of the consumer by adding to the loan’s interest. Unless requested, this information is not supplied to the Consumer and work against them.
(4) Insurance:-
Insurance payments are due annually and are the responsibility of the Consumer. Should the Consumer not pays the institutions then automatically adds the Insurance amount to the loan. That may not appear significant when one looks at this, but the reality is that when this is added to the loan, for example, during the early years of the Mortgage payment is say $1,500-a month $200.00 to the principal and $1,300.00 to interest. Now imagine a financial institution adding on insurance payment of $1,000.00 to the to the loan balance. This cannot be fair to the Consumer. It is suggested that a financial institution should consider opening an escrow account, or t provide a short-term personal loan to the Consumer to enable him to pay the Insurance and not add the Insurance premium to the balance of the Mortgage.
And lastly, Sir, is this question of:
(5) Delinquency:-
The delinquencies problem usually arise because of consumers being unaware of the loan payment processes along with the unfair and ill-advised assisting of late fees and interest to Mortgage accounts-
These actions place Consumers in a position where they feel unable to regularize their loans.
Once the loan policies are reviewed, financial institutions ought to consider a criteria for people to regularize their loans without having to pay up to five (5) payments in full.
This is extremely burdensome to the point of impossible to the average Consumer. Financial institutions should be required to conform to a MANDATORY POLICY of allowing the Consumer to make perhaps five (5) consecutive timely payments, in order to qualify for the delinquent loan to be re- written---------with the total delinquent payments ONLY being added to the loan.
It was felt that this would extend the maturity date by the number of payment, added as must be agreed to by the Consumer. This action should severely decrease the number of Bahamians that experience foreclosure of their Mortgage facility as a result of delinquency.
MR. SPEAKER! Your select Committee recommended that obviously! There is a need for more investigation to take place in order to ensure that the Consumer public is being protected. There is a constant need for investigations by this House to be carried out with respect to the policies and practices of financial institutions--------specially, those institutions that provide in-house financing, for example:- the furniture stores and some Real Estates Brokers. Moreover, the credit card program needs to come under closer scrutiny------particularly with respect to the high interest rate being charged. MR. SPEAKER! These are CRITICAL TIMES and therefore every aspect of our society needs to be brought to the forefront to be examined with a view to correcting anything that appears not to be in the interest of the Bahamian people. Mr. Speaker! Sir! I now turn to the question of:-Where do we go from here? Sir! The economic challenges we now face, if it does nothing else, it should propel us toward a different and a new approach to how we live and how to prepare for the current and future contingencies. For myself, I am confident that even though The Bahamas is a small Nation; and has no major industries; and, has hailed as its national resources sun, sand and sea------together, we can face whatever challenges confront us. We often hear that the answer is for us is to broaden our economic base. It sounds good to me. The question however is “How do we broaden the economic base? Are the financial institutions now ready to give persons a play?? to what, extent, if any? I respectfully, suggest that while some of us ponder these questions, I believe that one of the ways The Bahamas can broaden its economic base to a significant degree is with the Introduction of a National Lottery. The fact is Sir! that Gaming is an integral part of most Nations’ economy in the Global world. In our region alone, with the exception of one or two Countries-----------Gaming is well and alive. Adults are allowed to participate in Gaming whether they are residents or not. In The Bahamas Gaming seems to be a moral issue. A few of our Religious Leaders are against any change of the low to permit a National Lottery or allow residents to Gamble. The argument is that Gaming is morally wrong. The basis of their argument is that it encourages Prostitution, Homosexuality, fathers will neglect their families by spending their wages on gaming. I understand their position to be that many of Society’s ills are the by-product of Gaming and that allowing Bahamians to gamble will only result in further moral and social deterioration of our Society. While one has to respect and appreciate the views of these good Christian gentlemen, one cannot fail to recall similar arguments were once used with respect to the legalization of Alcohol decades ago. Does anyone sincerely believe that once adult Bahamians are allowed to participate in gaming that there will be any significant change in our Bahamian Society---------do you really believe that once the law is changed-------there will be a radically movement by people to participate in Gaming. It is my view that nothing will change significantly. Those Bahamians who gamble now, will continue to do so-------I would bet that whoever is prune to play numbers, drink alcohol, whoever refuses to support his family-------will do the same whether the law remains the same or not. You see Sir! you cannot legislate morality. I therefore respectfully, suggest that we move without delay to introduce a proper regulated Gaming Industry. One that would move the enormous profits from a few to make it available to the many by means of social programs like------EDUCATION, INFASTRUCTURE, HEALTH AND SPORTS. The Gaming Industry I can assure you is hardly one that ever suffers from an economic downturn. Moreover, Mr. Speaker! The Reality is that Tourism and Banking are presently ailing. The fact is that they are our principal revenue generating industries-------What do we do? Do we continue to wait for their recovery----- We are at the CROSS-ROADS--------What are we going to do? The reality is that many Bahamians who are now unemployed come from Tourism or Banking-------the fact is that many of them may never be able to return. Sir! The Bahamas is at the CROSS-ROADS----- we must seize the time and become proactive, we cannot continue to depend on these aged old industries------ This economic downturn has shown us over and over again that Tourism and Banking is unpredictable-------our economy is in dire need of restructuring.
MR. SPEAKER!
It is believed that in recent years, illegal gambling has escalated tremendously, almost to the point now where one can say that there is an illegal web shop on every corner. Illegal web shops are over New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini and Exuma.
Millions of dollars are still going into the pockets of the “Number Man” and the Government does not get one red cent. In addition, Bahamians presently are still spending millions of dollars playing the “Florida Lottery” which has announced that the Lottery’s net sales for fiscal year 2006-2007 totaled $4.12 billion dollars--------an income of $190, million dollars over the previous year, resulting in more than $1.26 billion to education.
The interesting thing is that Gaming per se is not illegal in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas------------it is only illegal for residents of The Bahamas to participate in Gaming. I should mention that the first Casino in The Bahamas was established in Nassau in the late 1920’s as The Bahamian Club. The next Casino opened on the Island of Cat Cay. The first major Casino, the Monte Carlo, opened in the Lucayan Beach Hotel in Freeport in 1964. Moreover, the Minister responsible for Gaming under our Law can permit lotteries under Sections 14, 15 and 16 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, Chapter 387 which deals with exemption of small lotteries incidential to certain entertainment (s), exemption of private lotteries, and exemption of lotteries conducted for Charitable and other purposes”.
The proceeds for these lotteries under the Act, however must be directed to purposes other than private gain, to include religious and educational or charitable purposes, and intensely enough the promotion of athletic sports or games or a cultural activity.
The point I make is in that same vein, in regard to legalized lotteries and lotteries worldwide, the proceeds from a National lottery would provide a specific sense of non-tax revenue and would greatly benefit the Bahamas in areas such as Health, Sports, Education Culture and the Arts.
-remember that playing the lottery is entirely voluntary;
--lottery is a game. Games are entertaining.
If we were to look to the Region--------
By a Report on the Jamaican Lottery-----
Since it was founded in 1994, the Jamaican Lottery Company has contributed though the Sports Development Foundation, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, the areas of Sport, Health and Early Childhood Education-------more than $1. billion since 1996 to the Sports Development Foundation; about $37.1 million; since 1997 to the Health Fund; and about $36.3 million since 1997 to Early Childhood Education.
I have no doubt that as we move into the way forward, and the need for Health Services to improve the Jamaicans have shown that such a scheme could be funded by an appropriate percentage of the proceeds that can be earned from lotteries. Of interest, the Jamaican Sports Development Foundation report for the period 1999 to 2001, received contributions from the Jamaican Lottery Company in the amount of $418.314 million. Sporting Associations received $174.439 million for development work and for participation in international events.
MR. SPEAKER! I say no more other than to make the point that since this is an issue that has become controversial, that the Government and the Opposition need to get together in a spirit of unity and treat this issue as an urgent national issue and present to the Country a consensus on the introduction of a lottery and an amendment to the Gaming and Lotteries Act.
MR. SPEAKER! A Black American Author–JOHN HENRIK CLARKE----in his book “NOTES FOR AN AFRICAN WOULD REVOLUTION-AFRICANS AT THE CROSS-ROADS”. Writes- “Time is running out for us A deadline we must meet To file reparation Petitions And make Politicians earn their seats, If we’re to win the battle Every organization must join the fight, Then as watchmen we will be able to tell the people, What is the hour of the night?”
MR. SPEAKER! Elizabeth support, the 2009/2010 Budget Committee