The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business

Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS has not properly leveraged the strength of recent anti-corruption reforms, a governance reformer argued yesterday.

Matt Aubry, the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) executive director, told Tribune Business: “Our general take is that we have done some things, and we have passed some laws and we have pushed forward with opportunities like the Public Procurement Act and the digitisation of our government services.

“We’ve had some greater levels of transparency in different instances, but we haven’t leveraged the strength of those advantages. We haven’t done what we need to make sure that not only do people locally see the difference, they believe that there can be a difference.”

The Bahamas held its position in Transparency International’s Corruption Index for 2022, achieving an unchanged score of 64 percent and ranking 29th out 180 countries rated. Mr Aubry, though, added: “The difference between a top shelf business coming here to relocate their headquarters might really be a past reputation that doesn’t reflect who The Bahamas is.

“We know that we’re on the verge of things like the enactment of Freedom of Information. We know that there’s been discussions about a revamp of the Public Disclosures Act. We know that in the [Progressive Liberal Party’s] Blueprint for change, and the agenda for the last administration, was an Integrity Commission and the nature not only locally, but internationally, is changing related to that.”

Minimizing corruption can save The Bahamas “hundreds of millions” of dollars while, at the same time, “building trust” between citizens and public officials. “And when you have better trust, you have better compliance. We’re spending a lot of money to go out and try and get real property tax, and try and get people to pay fees and things that they already owe, and reduce the people trying to get around Customs and duty and all of those things,” Mr Aubry said.

Improved checks and balances can ensure people “believe” in the system and that money is not being wasted or lost. Mr Aubry also pointed to ORG’s upcoming Economic Roundtable this Thursday evening, where there will be a panel discussing ways to move the Bahamian economy forward. “This is really giving a chance for us to recognise that the 50th is a critical moment, but beyond the 50th independence is really the point of this forum,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity for the public to hear from different perspectives, both from government and from the Opposition, and then from the governor of the Central Bank about what we see as the potential future and what are some of the challenges. Also, what are some of the opportunities, and what should people be thinking about as they hear plans being put forward and made on their behalf?

“The hope and goal is that folks will listen to this, and be able to get their own ideas and thoughts, and then be better prepared to understand and sift through things that are presented with the policies, then advocate for the portions that they think are beneficial to them and also be able to speak to areas that need to be adjusted or changed because it doesn’t address their particular area or their industry or not.”