Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement and Member of Parliament for St. Barnabas, the Hon. Shanendon Cartwright called on the government to provide clarity about the security of Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) officers deployed in Haiti.
While speaking to reporters outside of the House Of Assembly on Wednesday Cartwright said. “we wish for the government to be transparent about the status of the situation in Haiti, especially as it relates to the safety of the men and women there and so that the determination can be made about where we are headed as it relates to this policy and how to we continue to protect the lives and the interest of the men and women of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.”
The Ministry of National Security released a statement on Tuesday refuting social media claims that the officers deployed in Haiti have been abandoned, unpaid and placed in unsafe conditions. The statement also addressed the welfare of deployed officers and personnel.
The statement said, “all deployed officers and marines continue to receive their full salaries and benefits. In addition to their regular salaries they were also paid at the beginning of the deployment the full six months of hazardous pay at the highest rate, hardship allowance at the highest rate and deployment allowance 25% more than the highest deployment pay for RBDF personnel deployed anywhere else.”
The statement also addressed the security of the deployed officers. It said, “the welfare of our personnel has remained a top priority throughout the deployment.” It was explained that officers have had direct communications with the minister and members of the MSSM Secretariat through virtual calls.”
The statement ended by urging members of the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and to seek clarification through official channels.
