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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a press statement by the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald:
As many of you know, an invitation was extended to members of the
Government by the organizers to attend the march on Friday past and
while the acceptance of this invitation was met with accusation of event
hijacking by the organizers and the subsequent directive to the
attendees to turn their backs on us, my individual decision to
participate was based on my love and commitment for our great country.
Like all Bahamians, I want a better and stronger Bahamas. This is why I
have been committed to public service through front line politics for
the past 9 ½ years – to advocate for Bahamians at large, and bring about
change for a modern and prosperous nation, where we as a people make
the effort to work together on nation-building and collaboratively
address the challenges facing our country.
At Arawak Cay prior to the march I had the opportunity to speak with
many in attendance. I learned that some persons gathered there because
they were dissatisfied with the Government, some because they do not
believe the Opposition party is a credible voice to represent their
interests and others because they simply wanted to be part of the event.
But most of all however, I spoke with people who above anything else,
just wanted to put the politics aside and focus on improving our
country.
This march was reflective of what the majority of Bahamians want for The
Bahamas, which is nation building through a healthy exchange of ideas; a
willingness to collaborate to improve our quality of life;
communication; and listening to the Bahamian people.
I know this because the past 4 ½ years the Government has placed a
priority on consultations, face to face interactions, and social media.
Unfortunately however, the majority is often drowned out by the louder
minority with a purely political agenda.
The National Development Plan, The Shared Vision for Education 2030, The
National Energy Plan and the National Youth Policy among others should
not be perceived as PLP initiatives as they have not been derived in
isolation but have incorporated collaboration from a wide cross section
of stakeholders inclusive of politicians and civil society. We will not
win until we are united in a shared goal of building a better Bahamas.
This is the genesis of The National Development Plan!
Persons have expressed that the Government must be accountable. I agree.
I have said previously that before the end of this year I will be
tabling Freedom of Information legislation. I am an advocate for the
Freedom of Information Act and the government supports it.
As much as I was proud to acknowledge that this peaceful march was
really reflective of a strong democracy at work, I was disappointed that
after our Prime Minister took the time to write a thoughtful and
detailed response within 2 days to the organizers outlining how many of
their concerns have either been addressed or being addressed and
inviting them to meet with him to discuss how we can work together on
the issues raised, his invitation was flatly and disrespectfully
rejected. In doing so, the organizers in a fit of hubris have squandered
an opportunity many of those who marched and supported them wished they
would have seized instead of issuing threats to hold the country
hostage.
Despite what can be perceived as short-sightedness by the organizers,
the peaceful display by Bahamians reflects the best of The Bahamas and
how the majority of us are invested in making meaningful change. I am
glad I took the opportunity to attend and speak with my brothers and
sisters and want to assure all Bahamians that we in Government are
working hard to enact the change you want to see in the country.
I continue to encourage Bahamians to share their opinions; don’t lose
the passion you have for this great country, and above all, don’t let
politics and those with a political agenda blind you. We are all in this
together and we all have a role to play if The Bahamas is to truly
maximize its potential.
The Government doesn’t have all the answers and we most certainly can’t
solve every problem. At the end of the day the rate and success of the
change we desire as a nation will be dictated by the rate and pace of
our change individually and collectively as a people.
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