Members of the armed forces have become the latest government employees to lament the hazardous conditions in which they have been forced to work. Recently published media reports detail instances of mold found at nearly two dozen police buildings and reported by the Police Staff Association. This discovery violates the precepts of the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) International Health and Safety Standards of which the Bahamas is a signatory; it is also breaches the General Building Code and Standards upheld by both Ministry of Works and Health in respect to Health and Safety issues and those standards set by policies of the Police Force for its officers. The existence of such unhealthy conditions shows a callous disregard for members of the armed forces and puts the wider community at risk as well.

This however, is not the first time officers have raised this issue. In fact, their concerns date back to 2013, at which time government officials consented to immediate remediation efforts – another BROKEN PROMISE.

Since coming to office, the government has engaged in wasteful spending habits while failing to address key maintenance issues at countless government entities in New Providence and across the family islands. While this government spends millions on building construction, it has, on many occasions, failed to properly manage the upkeep of those facilities which in turn has resulted in an additional financial burden to tax payers. Reports of failing infrastructure - from leaking and collapsing roofs to mold contamination – have become commonplace. Also commonplace has been this administration’s lackluster response to the employees of these various government ministries.

Unfortunately, as the government’s handling of the Rubis/Marathon gas leak has shown us, this government DOES NOT CARE about the health and well-being of its citizens or environment. The Democratic National Alliance calls on this administration to take IMMEDIATE action in addressing these long standing issues at all government buildings.

Even more important is the need for this and future governments to move from a reactionary position to a proactive one. The cost to properly maintain government facilities is far less than the cost to undergo widespread remediation when matters like these arise. Such plans should be detailed as part of the government’s many fiscal responsibilities which should be carefully managed and monitored to ensure that the lives of our country’s public servants as well as the tax payers’ investment in government infrastructure are both protected.

Three years of PLP governance has riddled our country with nothing but scandals and broken promises, chief of which was this administration’s promise to believe in the ability of its people and protect the rights of its citizenry above all others. It’s safe to say that this Christie government has failed on ALL FRONTS.

The DNA has long said that a government’s first responsibility to its citizens is to protect them.

Christopher Mortimer
DNA Deputy Leader