This was a significant period in the life of the organization, one that saw it emerging fully on the national landscape. A new Ministry - the Ministry of Housing and National Insurance was created, and the first Minister appointed to this post was the Honourable Hubert Ingraham, M.P.

Significant developments took place over this triennium that greatly contributed to the future growth, development and expansion of the National Insurance Programme. Some of these included:

• Recruitment and deployment of a cadre of well-trained Bahamian professionals.


• Expansion and relocation of many of the Regional Offices both on New Providence and the Family Islands.


• Introduction of the nucleus of the first coordinated and comprehensive public information programme in a Government Corporation; 1983 also saw the successful staging of the first “National Insurance Week”.


• As 1981 had been declared by the United Nations to be “The Year of the Disabled”, disabled persons were awarded 500 special contribution credits as of that year.


• Amendments to the Benefits and Assistance Regulations greatly liberalised the qualifying conditions making it less restrictive for persons to qualify for Maternity, Sickness and Survivors’ Benefits and which saw the Funeral Benefit grant raised from $200 to $600.

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Up to June, 1982, ministerial responsibility for National Insurance rested with the Honourable Perry Christie, M.P., then with the Honourable Hubert Ingraham, M.P.; Mr. George Mackey, M.P., and Mr. Balasubramanian continued as Chairman and Acting Director, respectively. Mr. Nelson Cooper, who was appointed as Chief Accountant in December, 1981, was promoted to Financial Controller in 1983.

Contributions collected over the three year period amounted to some $77 million. Over $34.8 million was paid out as benefits/assistance and the Reserve Fund stood at some $161,727,914.