Bahamian Politics
DNA: 3 years of PLP Governance: "A Case Study in Political Ineptitude"
By Branville McCartney, DNA Leader
May 11, 2015 - 1:44:26 PM


On May 7, 2012, the Progressive Liberal Party led by Perry Christie was voted in as the government of the Bahamas. Ahead of the vote, the PLP, then the official opposition, mounted a substantial political campaign on the premise that it “BELIEVED IN BAHAMIANS”. In its Charter for Governance the PLP promised transparent and effective governance that would begin on day 1. That document, meant to serve as a blue print of the government’s plans for national development, was filled with promises on crime prevention, economic stimulation and job creation. It was on these promises that many Bahamians based their confidence in the Christie administration; unfortunately as the government marks its third year in office the promise to “Believe in the Bahamians” has proven to be nothing more than a clever marketing ploy.

Despite its many campaign promises, the past three years of PLP governance has done nothing to move the country forward. Instead, the PM and his corrupt cabinet has dismissed opportunities to empower the people of this country opting instead to seek the input of foreign consultants above the expertise which exists locally. Repeated instances of reckless and wasteful spending – including millions spent on lavish trips for large government delegations – has only further widened the country’s national debt and led to the increased tax burden with which Bahamians now contend.

The government’s inability to effectively address key social ills like crime and unemployment coupled with its failure to meet any number of self-imposed deadlines for matters of policy such as freedom of information, energy reform, and environmental legislation are an indicator of the clear lack of focus and vision which PM Christie has brought to this term in office and has resulted in a reactionary style of governance as opposed to the proactive style of governance which the Bahamian electorate now seeks.

Over the past few years, it has become abundantly clear that the Prime Minister has become less concerned with the effective management of the country’s affairs and more consumed by the potency of his own political legacy. Mr. Christie’s absentee, hands off style of oversight has allowed members of his cabinet to run amuck.

Rather than delivering the accountable and transparent governance which it promised, this Christie led administration has found itself mired down muck of political scandal, flouting the rule of law at every turn in a bid to protect their personal interests and agendas.

Before the dust settles on one set of allegations, new scandals are unearthed. Early on in this term in office the country was rocked by the allegations that millions of dollars in public funds had been misappropriated at the National Insurance Board. One forensic audit, millions of dollars and 2 years later though, no criminal charges have been filed against any of the individuals allegedly involved. Similar investigations were launched back in 2013 into missing funds within the Department of Road traffic. Unfortunately, this government has provided no concrete answers about that matter either. Even more shocking still was the loss of 10 million dollars in prescription drugs from the Public Hospital’s Authority which resulted in up to 3 separate forensic audits all of which occurred at the expense of the public purse but which resulted in no arrests or criminal charges.

Grabbing headlines most recently have been the breaches taking place at BAMSI –where millions of tax payer dollars went up in smoke as a result of the failure of officials at the Ministry of Works to execute the necessary checks and balances – and recently, allegations of cronyism and reckless spending within Urban Renewal’s small home repairs program. In these and countless other cases, the government has failed to bring the culprits of such blatant acts of illegality to justice.

Equally troubling has been the attitude of government ministers – which has ranged from outright arrogance to defensiveness – in the face of such damning evidence against them. This government has, as a whole displayed a lack of respect for the electorate as evidenced by the disregard shown for the gaming referendum results and most recently the handling of the Rubis gas leak.

© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com -