Less than a week after embattled former National Insurance Board (NIB) Chairman Gregory Moss was fired from that post, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced late Tuesday that Reverend Father James Moultrie is the new NIB chairman.
In a press release sent Tuesday evening the prime minister announced that the Anglican priest has been chosen to replace Mr. Moss.
“I am pleased to inform the Bahamian people that one of our nation’s finest sons and a man of unblemished integrity, Reverend Father James MoultriePhD, Anglican priest and former Ambassador to the United Nations and former parliamentary secretary and member of the House of Assembly, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the National Insurance Board,” the release read.
“Father Moultrie’s appointment, which has been made in accordance with the provisions of the National Insurance Act, takes effect (Tuesday).”
Mr. Moss was fired last week after refusing to resign the post as ordered by the prime minister.
He had been tangled in a web of controversy for weeks as claims arose that he abused funds on a government issued credit card.
Mr. Moss aired his concern and displeasure with how the government did not properly defend him on his Facebook page, leaving the nation’s chief with no choice but to terminate him as NIB chairman.
“Father Moultrie has had a long and distinguished career, first in the sphere of education and the public service, then in the political sphere, then in international diplomacy, and for the past 18 years, in the religious life of our community,” the prime minister added in his release.
“Father Moultrie was an outstanding member of Parliament for the Rock Sound Constituency in Eleuthera, serving for 12 years. During this time he also served with distinction as the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
Prime Minister Christie added that following his retirement from frontline politics, Father Moultrie served “with great credit” as our nation’s ambassador to the United Nations.
Soon after, he said Father Moultrie pursued theological studies up to and including the doctorate level, and was ordained an Anglican priest, serving the Anglican Diocese for many years, most notably as Rector of the Church of the Holy Spirit from 2002 to 2004 and then as the Rector of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church from 2004 to 2011.
Father Moultrie and his wife, Bernadette, are the parents of three children and they have six grandchildren.
“My colleagues and I are delighted that Father Moultrie has accepted this appointment as the new Chairman of the National Insurance Board,” Prime Minister Christie said. “He is a man of impeccable character, honesty and discipline who will bring to his new position great leadership skills and a solid understanding of the mission and mandate of the National Insurance Board.”
