A suspended fireman has been receiving both a Bermuda Fire Service (BFS) salary as well as another from his current place of work for close to two years, it was revealed in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

The case of Nikai Pearson was highlighted by Deputy Opposition Leader Minister Michael Dunkley, who demanded to know why the situation had not yet been dealt with.understands that Mr. Pearson was suspended from the BFS two years ago because of conduct perceived as detrimental to the Service, and has since taken a job at the Sea View Fitness Centre on North Shore Road in Devonshire. And while his suspension has yet to be successfully resolved, Mr. Pearson continues to benefit from two separate salaries. Furthermore, it is also understood he recently launched an application to recoup the overtime payments his former fire crew would have accrued during his extended time away from the job.

Contacted yesterday, Mr. Horton said he was ?appalled? the situation had not been brought to an acceptable conclusion.

He said he would be taking immediate steps to put the matter to rest.

Mr. Dunkley, meanwhile, said he was pleased the Minister was promising action, although he added he would have appreciated a promise that steps will be taken to ensure ?this type of situation does not happen again?.

?I?m surprised that he did not seem to be aware of the issue, a fact I believe means there is some problem with the chain of command at the Ministry,? he said.

?And while I welcome his comments, saying you are going to act is the easy part. Explaining why it happened and what is going to be done to make sure it never happens again are other points which should also be addressed. This is a Government which has been talking at length recently about fiscal responsibility, but in this case it is clear money has been whittled away for an unacceptable period of time.?