The Inaguas are a part of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The Bahamas is made up of 700 islands, 2,400 cays and has a population of approximately 300,000 people. The colour black in the Bahamian flag represents the vigour and force of a united people. The triangle pointing represents the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop and process the rich resources of land and sea, symbolised by gold and aquamarine, respectively. The motto of the coat of arms "Forward Upward Onward Together" signifies the direction and manner in which The Bahamas strives to move as a nation. There was a national competition to produce the motto for the coat of arms, and the competition was won by two 11-year-old schoolchildren: Vivian F. Moultrie of Inagua Public School in Inagua and Melvern B. Bowe of the Government High School in Nassau. Hervis Bain, a Bahamian artist, created the preliminary design of the coat of arms.
The Cabinet constitutes the executive branch of The Bahamas. It has general direction and control of the Government of The Bahamas. The Cabinet is comprised of at least nine Ministers inclusive of the Prime Minister and Attorney General. The islands are administered by an island Administrator (formerly called Commissioner), who is employed by the Central Government via the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Local Government. He is the Central Government’s representative and serves as resident judge and official secretary to the Town Council. Residents elect the Local Government’s Town Council.
A Member of Parliament, who also represents Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Long Cay, represents the Inaguas in the House of Assembly. The Member of Parliament is elected every five years when national general elections are held. The Member of Parliament is the Honorable Alfred Gray. The Chief Councillor is Mr. Allan Clare, and the Administrator is Dr. Preston Cunningham.
