On the evening of
April 29, 2015, this corrupt PLP administration dealt yet another crippling
blow to the fight for accountability and transparency in governance.
Even after its
outright failure to protect the citizens of Marathon from the obvious health
hazards resulting from that Rubis gas leak, and its insensitive response to the
cries of the affected residents, this administration led by Prime Minister
Perry Christie has added insult to injury by quashing calls for a parliamentary
investigation into the facts and circumstance surrounding the spill. Only two members of the PLP voted in favor of
the investigation – put forth by one of its own - proving once and for all that
this government is only interested in protecting the rights and interests of
its friends, family members and political allies.
Even more noteworthy
was the PM’s absence from the Wednesday night’s vote. As with the vote on Value
Added Tax (VAT) the nation’s leader seems to be working diligently at
distancing himself from this latest firestorm. As a seasoned politician who has
shown a preoccupation with his own legacy, perhaps he does not want to be
associated with the blatant and callous disregard for the lives of this
country’s citizens.
The government’s
refusal to allow for such an investigation raises a number of questions, chief
of which is:
WHAT DOES THIS GOVERNMENT
HAVE TO HIDE? What is the Christie administration afraid will be unearthed
as part of those findings and is it also related to the decision by the
Attorney General to suppress the release of the environmental report for an
entire year?
This administration’s position
further raises questions about their commitment to environmental stewardship
and protection. Concerns about the Rubis fuel leak merely add to the already long
list of health and environmental issues currently being ignored by the PLP. While
the government works to keep the facts about this spill from being dug up,
Bahamians are still awaiting a report on the impact of the many dump fires on
the health of residents in that area as well. And what of the many oil spills
at the Clifton site which have wrought havoc on the area’s delicate eco- systems.
NO ANSWERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN!
This is yet another
indicator of why Freedom of Information is so desperately needed in this
country and why government officials must be made accountable to the electorate.
Rather than accepting responsibility, the Ministers at the heart of the issue
have been flippant and dismissive. Rather than candidly and honestly address
the well placed concerns of area residents, this government has closed ranks
around its members effectively locking Bahamians out of any chance at securing
justice for themselves and their family members.
For the sake of the
national interest, The Democratic National Alliance calls on this government to
fast track the implementation of this vital piece of legislation and do more
than pay lip service to the idea for open accountable and transparent
governance.
Wednesday’s
Parliamentary NO VOTE was a vote
against Democracy; a vote against the good people of this great country. Come
2017, Bahamians must remember the many missteps of this Christie government;
follow their lead and VOTE NO to another 5 years of PLP Governance.
Branville McCartney
DNA Leader