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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 While on the one hand paying lip service to the need for transparency and accountability, the government of the Bahamas led by this clearly non transparent, unaccountable and morally bankrupt Christie administration, has once again proven that they could care less about the importance of such mechanisms in the execution of good governance and the overall development of our country.
In the years since taking office, the PLP has continued to drag its feet on completing and tabling the more than 100 amendments needed to implement the long awaited and much needed Freedom of Information Act. Now, in the weeks following the passage of Hurricane Matthew, it appears that the government has found a new excuse to hide behind. The Democratic National Alliance finds it utterly disingenuous for the PLP government to assert that the reason for the delays in tabling the Bill have anything to do with ongoing hurricane restoration efforts.
Many Bahamians will remember the government’s self-imposed two year deadline by which they hoped to complete the necessary consultations, amendments and tabling of the Bill. Despite the PLP government’s insinuation that hurricane Matthew in some way threw off the government’s timeline, that two year deadline expired LONG BEFORE MATTHEW EVEN FORMED OR BECAME A THREAT TO THIS COUNTRY!
The DNA is by no means surprised by the delays in implementing this legislation however we have watched countless members of the Prime Minister’s cabinet benefit from the lack of a viable Freedom of Information Act. In its absence, the government has been able to secret away millions in Value Added Tax Collections with zero accountability on how that money has been used. Similarly in recent days and weeks, government officials have continued to hide the pertinent details surrounding the supposed “sale” of Bahamar and its assets to Perfect Luck Limited. In fact, even the Christie Cabinet remains in the dark as to who these new Chinese interests are and their intentions for the stalled development or how Bahamians will be impacted!
Since the very beginning The Democratic National Alliance along with countless other organizations have led the call for a Freedom of Information Act as part of efforts to pull the country from the shadows of corruption and malfeasance. Even as Bahamians cry out for greater transparency in governance, our elected officials continue to operate under a cloud of secrecy and mystery. As a result Bahamians are left to live with and through the negative effects of the back room deals struck with various special interests.
More than 90 countries around the world have already enacted some form of Freedom of Information resulting in enhanced democracies. Elected officials must be made to account for every action they take in the name of our developing democracy. It is clear however that this administration is taking a page from the former government and will likely table the Bill in the weeks before the general election once again stopping the clock on full scale implementation. THESE ARE THE ACTIONS OF AN INCOMPETENT AND IRRESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT!
A responsible government would not create excuses about why the legislation cannot be implemented; rather they would work quickly to ensure that any deficiencies in the current legislation were addressed in a timely manner.
Upon becoming the government the DNA will finally introduce – in conjunction with a Whistle Blowers Act and Financial Accountability Legislation – a viable and implementable Freedom of Information Act designed to encourage participatory governance in the Bahamas. The DNA will answer the call of the Bahamian electorate and ensure that access to information pertinent to the running of this country and the advancement our democracy becomes a priority ONCE AND FOR ALL.
Branville McCartney
DNA Leader
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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