|
|
|
|
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
DNA: Lack of Freedom of Information Sends Clear Message
By Branville McCartney, Leader, Democratic National Alliance (DNA)
Mar 12, 2015 - 10:51:55 PM
|
Email this article
Mobile friendly page
|
 Over the past three years of PLP governance, the rights and liberties upon which this country was founded have been threatened. Bahamians across the length and breadth of this country have been victimized, overtaxed, and undervalued. Our countries natural resources have been sold in back room deals while the men and women elected by the people to carry out the work of the people have succeeded only at lining the pockets of their friends, family and lovers.
So far, this Christie led administration has failed on all fronts to be transparent and accountable in its dealings. Instead, their term in office has been marred by countless acts of BLATANT CORRUPTION on the part of government officials. The Death of Democracy regarding the Gaming Act, BEC, PHA, the LOI saga and most recently BAMSI are all examples of government agencies where ineptitude, cronyism and corruption have been allowed to run rampant. In most of those cases however, NOTHING has been done and NO ONE brought to justice!
For the last year or so, The Democratic National Alliance and countless other organizations have called for the implementation and enforcement of a Freedom of Information Act as part of wider efforts to hold public officials more accountable. That however has not happened and according to the PLP government, that will not happen until 2016 – less than a year from the next general election. HOW CONVENIENT!
The Freedom of Information Act, which was passed by the former Free National Movement administration was debated in Parliament with members of this government – then in opposition – present for those proceedings. More than 2 years ago, the PLP was given the opportunity to make whatever suggestions and recommendations they deemed necessary to make the Act enforceable and upon completion of the process, voted for the passage of that Bill in its current form.
The PLP government had access to the legislation for MORE THAN FIVE YEARS having had the opportunity to view it both while in opposition and from the seat of governance. They have had ample time to amend and adjust any aspect of the Bill that presented a problem but have CHOSEN not to. It is therefore disingenuous for this administration to claim that the Bill is so unusable that it has taken nearly five years to correct.
While continuing to ignore this key piece of legislation, this Christie administration has had no trouble pushing legislation through Parliament that has suited its personal agenda. The Gaming Act, The Stem Cells Act and Value Added Tax legislation – most of which were not for the benefit of the Bahamian
people – were all passed with lightning speed. In the case of the VAT Legislation the government further ignored recommendations by its own New Zealand consultants to implement Freedom of Information BEFORE the implementation of the new tax regime. The government’s inability to act on Freedom of Information sends one clear message: THAT THIS GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT TO BE ACCOUNTABLE!
The only real way to ensure that rights of ALL BAHAMIANS are protected is to ensure that the transactions of those elected to lead are not concealed from the public. Freedom of Information is without question the first MAJOR step to ensuring that the systemic corruption that has plagued government agencies is reversed.
Branville McCartney
DNA Leader
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
