BASSETERRE St. Kitts, October 29th 2011 - The Social Security system was initiated by the Labour government in 1978. Prior to that there was the NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND.
In early 1980 the P.A.M. took over the government. As a party that keeps its promises the P.A.M. gave the people all the money they had in the NPF. Thousands of dollars were removed from the system. As much as the Labour party criticized it was absolutely clear where the money went – IN THE POCKETS OF THE PEOPLE.
Despite returning the NPF money to the people the Social Security System grew and became a robust fund during the fifteen years of the PAM-NRP government. Since the return of Labour in 1995 the Social Security Fund has been subjected to questionable decisions of an inept politically handpicked Board.
THE PERSON WHO LEAKED THE MEMO MIGHT HAVE SAVED OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM. Some four to five years ago the public learned (not from government nor Social Security) that Social Security had bought lands at Franklands. The lands were cleared on two occasions; the total cost coming to a whopping one (1) million dollars. At the moment the lands have “run back into bush and kasha”.
The recent PR campaign by Social Security in response to the public outcry has created more worry than comfort. According to releases from Social Security, the land was cleared by CONTEC but no explanation as to, why CONTEC as opposed to ANY OTHER COMPANY? Again, according to the Social Security publication, AFTER clearing the land on two occasions, CONTEC informed the Social Security of an option CONTEC had on lands at Dewar’s.
It must be understood (is unacceptable) that CONTEC collected money to clear the land on two occasions THEN informed Social Security of lands at DEWAR’s. WHAT IF CONTEC HAD CLEARED THE LAND FOR A THIRD OR FOURTH TIME? This should have at the least made the Board of Directors of Social Security very angry. Apparently they were not even vex but proceeded to buy lands at DEWARS AND GO INTO BUSINESS with CONTEC.
After spending (wasting) all that money at Franklands, the lands were not considered SUITABLE for Housing. Essentially NO FEASIBILITY study was done BEFORE Social Security spent millions of POOR PEOPLE MONEY.
Nobody in Social Security HAD TO CHANGE THEIR CLOTHES, i.e., WAS ARRESTED OR JAILED!
Social Security has to tell the people WHICH AGENCY OR SPECIALIST/PROFESSIONAL deemed the lands at Franklands UNSUITABLE FOR HOUSING. Consistent with this, who/which deemed DEWAR’S suitable for HOUSING?
The public was not aware of the matters mentioned above and similarly was not aware of the Social Security purchasing the CANNE A SUCRE PROPERTY. The building was broken down, the land today used as a parking lot. Social Security has never told the people if it receives a fee on their behalf for their land. A SAMENESS OF SELLER is very obvious but Social Security has never told the people from whom they made these purchases. As much as the recent SCANDAL has forced the Social Security to speak, the Social Security is still “holding back” information. Many are wondering why the Social Security purchased the Kawaja property when it has lands which are used as a parking lot.
Dr. Douglas told the people that our Social Security system is the strongest in the region. Since then, the Labour government has proposed rasing the age of Pension from 62-70 years. It has also proposed as increase in the amount of contribution. However, the latest IMF report is warning that the Social Security system can go BANKRUPT by 2040. By the time our nation gets to fifty years there might be no Social Security system. WHAT A WAY TO CELEBRATE A 50th ANNIVERSARY!
DEFALCATION is haunting our Social Security system. Actually the recent scandal has on element of PECULATION. On the matter of TRUSTEESHIP AND SOLIDARITY WITH OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, SOCIAL SECURITY IS FAILING OUR PEOPLE based on this recent revelation.
Mrs. Lawrence must be commended for her letter. As much as Labour is on the HUNT for the person who leaked the Memo with the intention of punishing that person, she/he should stand up and proudly and boldly say “A ME!” She/he should be made a National Hero. If ever there is a NEED for the REVOLUTION that Dr. Douglas threatened, the time is now.
If ever Labour finds the person and puts its bloody careless hands on him/her the people should rebel.
By racusing himself STANLEY FRANKS has admitted to recognizing CONFLICT OF INTEREST. He accepted a job – an obligation to the poor people. By not sitting in the meetings he ignored this responsibility, allowing the other members to DO AS THEY LIKE. Mr. Franks must be reminded of ERRORS OF COMMISSION AND ERRORS OF OMISSION. Mr. Franks was not at the meetings to say “YES” but was not there to say “NO”. His “CASUAL” contact with CONTEC prevented him from doing the people’s business according to him.
While Dr. Douglas was trying to make Eugene Hamilton a villain or “WANTED MAN”, Dr. Douglas’ friends have been doing to Social Security exactly what the big boys in Trinidad and Barbados, his friends, did to British American and CLICO, causing collapse.
The MEMO is just the TIP OF THE ICEBERG. Social Security had to pay $8 sq. ft for land while LaVallee, STANFORD, KITTITIAN HEIGHTS paid 75 cents sq. ft. In effect our poor people paid for these persons land.
There is a trail of scandal from WHITE GATE TO SOCIAL SECURITY to LEX CONSULTANCY with branches spreading in ALL DIRECTIONS…
SOCIAL SECURITY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO COME CLEAN AND STRAIGHT TO THE PEOPLE. IN ALL OF THIS AN UNKNOWN, UNIDENTIFIED NATIONAL HERO/HEROINE IS WALKING IN OUR MIDST.
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