BPSU President: “Halkitis Appointment as Finance Minister, a Breath of Fresh Air”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahamas Public Services Union President (BPSU), Kimsley Ferguson, welcomes the appointment of Michael Halkitis as finance minister under this latest Davis administration.

It’s not a completely new post to Halkitis, as he served as state minister during the Christie administration from 2012-2017.

As it relates to union matters, Ferguson has openly expressed his frustration with the processes the Ministry of Fiance takes – a ministry previously lead by Prime Minister Philip Davis.

Ferguson says he hopes that going forward, certain matters that need to be taken care of, can be sped up.

Kimsley Ferguson – President, BPSU

“It’s a breath of fresh air to some extent, because I honestly was thinking that the financial secretary was the minister of finance during the last five year period. I’m hopeful that we get a different response.”

“I know for a fact that there were quite a number of persons attached to the cabinet that had a brush with their financial issues and in that regard…so I’m hopeful that would be changed, and that the responses towards the issues regarding finance would would be different.”

Then, with any new minister comes the possibility of new ideas and legislation. Ferguson says this:

Kimsley Ferguson – President, BPSU

“….I would be hopeful that the unions would be able to peruse those policies, particularly those that directly affect the people that we do represent, and so I believe that the task is in front of the new administration.”

“I think they’re in a better position now because they know the stuff that was left on the table and they can pick up from where they left off.”

Now, Ferguson has been on record saying he doesn’t believe the Ministries of Labor and Public Service should be combined, let alone be joined with the National Insurance Board, adding it’s a lot on one minister’s plate.

He’s adds that he’s hoping Halkitis isn’t overwhelmed as well by his new portfolio..

Kimsley Ferguson – President, BPSU

“I found the Hon. Michael Halkitis to be a reasonable individual, however I know sometimes when your portfolio becomes huge you’re not sufficient to share around so that people can have their concerns address, but I believe that he would be up to the task again. Let me say congratulations to him.”