NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC—The Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) is disappointed that the government has allocated US$140,000 for the Freedom of Information Act Unit over the next 12 months.
In a statement, ORG, which describes itself as a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that promotes the principles of good governance, said that the allocation indicates that fully enacting the law is not a priority for the Phillip Davis administration.
Last week, Prime Minister Davis presented to Parliament a tax-free US$3,54 billion national budget. The ORG said the allocation in the budget for the Unit is “insufficient for necessary technology, training within the government, and public education.”
The ORG has since called on Bahamians to actively advocate for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and other transparency and accountability mechanisms, stressing that “public participation is not just important, but essential for ensuring that the budget reflects the needs and priorities of all Bahamians”.
Successive administrations have made no meaningful progress towards enacting the FOIA, even though the ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) pledged to implement the system in its ‘Blueprint For Change’ pre-election manifesto.
However, the ORG noted that there is no evidence in the budget of funding for the office. While it commended the government on its “progress towards transparency and efficiency in public procurement,” it suggested that full compliance with the law remains elusive.
“To fully realize the potential of the Public Procurement Act in fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth, it is imperative that the online procurement portal fully complies with the legislation,” ORG said.
“This includes the timely presentation of all procurement opportunities and the disclosure of award details. Ensuring that state-owned enterprises adhere strictly to these requirements is also crucial. By committing to complete transparency and comprehensive enforcement, we can enhance public trust and create a more competitive and fair procurement environment,” it added.
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