The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A governance reform advocate has urged politicians to produce “more action, less talk”, and warned that Government mismanagement is threatening “economic sustainability”.

Robert Myers, a principal with the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) civil society grouping, told Tribune Business that Friday’s ‘We March’ protest - which he attended - showed many Bahamians were tired of the status quo and unfulfilled promises from politicians.

“They need to do more action and less talk,” Mr Myers said of politicians in general, and government in particular. “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie made a last-ditch effort to stave off the ‘We March’ protest by inviting the organisers to attend a presentation of the National Development Plan, and making multiple promises on the problems his government plans to address.

“I think that he’s completely misread the people, and it’s too little, too late,” Mr Myers said in response to the publication of Mr Christie’s five-page letter to the ‘We March ‘ organisers.

“It’s too little, too late. He’s reacting to what’s going on, as opposed to being collaborative, inclusive, transparent and accountable.

“If he meant what he said, why’s he not acting on issues like public disclosure, Freedom of Information Act, transparency and accountability, and Fiscal Responsibility.

“He’s had ample time to address these issues of significance, that’s why people are upset. It’s all talk, no action.”

Mr Myers added that “the same thing applies to the previous administration” headed by Hubert Ingraham, which rushed a Freedom of Information Act through at the last minute, and failed to address similar concerns.

“It’s doubly disappointing,” he added of both governments, “and their mismanagement is significantly affecting a wide range of Bahamian opportunities and economic sustainability.

“The time has long passed. We need governance, no matter by which party, that is open, accountable, responsible and collaborative. We need a new form of governance.

“We don’t want to be told. We want to inform and be part of the solution. Many people want to do that, but in some cases they feel shut out or even victimised by government; not just this one.

“Governments, if they don’t like what you’re talking about, try and smack you down by victimisation or bad mouthing you. It’s vicious and has got to stop. We need more mature and responsible governance, with the understanding that we need to be collaborative and inclusive.”

Mr Myers acknowledged that changing the culture of Bahamian governance would be difficult, especially for those in high office in both the public sector and the political parties.

“It’s particularly difficult when you’ve come up on a political party system where you’ve had to fight for the top post, and then get into government where you have to fight for the top post again,” he added.

“You’ve got all these party constitutions and political conventions and, for the most part, they’ve got all their political appointees in place and it’s very hard to get it changed.

“We’ve got to figure out how to fix this, and that means a shake up at all levels. We’ve seen today that the people are showing they’re fed up with this,” Mr Myers said.

“Hopefully, the politicians will take note and start real change - working on a Freedom of Information Act, deficit control, the inequitable enforcement of the rule of law. These are critical issues for the improvement of your economy.”