July 6, 2021
MATT AUBRY
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Tie 'pieces of puzzle' for better corruption ratings
The Bahamas was yesterday urged to "tie together" all the initiatives it has undertaken to combat graft after it maintained its 30th spot in Transparency International's corruption perceptions index.
Anti-corruption defences: ‘Get them over the line’
Governance reformers yesterday renewed calls for The Bahamas to “accelerate” the full enactment of transparency-related laws and “get them over the line” amid fresh contract controversy.
Governance reformers hail ombudsman ‘priority’
Governance reformers yesterday praised the Government for both treating the Ombudsman Bill as a legislative “priority” and appearing to alter the original version as a result of their feedback.
Fiscal Council limbo sparks ‘alarm’ over accountability
Governance reformers yesterday voiced “alarm” that the uncertainty surrounding the Fiscal Responsibility Council highlights a growing “trend” where public accountability and transparency “lack priority” within government.
Transparency hope from move to corporate tax
Implementing a corporate tax would move the country towards more progressive taxation, accountability and fiscal transparency, according to a governance reformer.
Budget not matching transparency pledges
Governance reformers yesterday charged that the Government's promises of enhanced transparency and accountability are not matched by financial allocations in the 2023-2024 Budget.
Levy-raising power is 'too open ended'
Governance reformers yesterday argued that the discretion afforded the minister of finance by proposed legislation enabling the introduction of so-called 'sin' or 'sugar' taxes is "too open ended".
Ombudsman Bill ‘can’t pass and sit’
Governance reformers yesterday said the Attorney General's ability to restrict the powers of the proposed ombudsman is "too vague" and should be reformed as they urged Bahamians to ensure this is not a Bill that "passes and sits".
‘Remarkable’ non-profits need improved structure
Bahamian non-profit groups are performing a “remarkable” service to local families and communities despite being under-resourced and suffering a 20 percent cut in government funding through COVID, it was argued yesterday.
Amendments to Procurement Act good, but there’s still opportunity for strengthening
THE executive director of the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) supports government’s plans to reform the Public Procurement Act, saying that there is still opportunity for strengthening.
‘A step back’ over fiscal watchdog independence
Governance reformers yesterday voiced fears that proposed legal reforms are “a step back” for the independence of a key fiscal watchdog and also weaken accountability “enforcement teeth”.
‘Do not hit rock bottom’ on public sector reform
The Bahamas “cannot squeeze out” civil service reform if it wishes to tackle “the vexing problem” of perceived corruption in accessing public services, governance reformers warned yesterday.
‘Full picture’ missing on COVID food plan claims
The Auditor General should provide a “better picture” of the COVID food task force’s work, governance reformers said yesterday, after the Prime Minister accused one non-profit of using public monies for a $400,000 “spending spree”.
‘Don’t water down’ fiscal transparency
Governance reformers yesterday urged that fiscal accountability and transparency are “not lost and watered down” through a comprehensive reform package unveiled by the Prime Minister.
Push reforms to make ‘real dent’ in corruption
The Bahamas can make “a real dent” in its anti-corruption standing if it passes four critical laws this year, a governance reformer argued yesterday, having “missed the opportunity” in 2022.
‘Anti-corruption laws need to be a national priority’
A GOVERNANCE reformer said yesterday that anti-corruption legislation is a key piece of law that needs to be put forward, adding it has not been made a national priority.
ORG suggests changes to procurement laws
The Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) has given recommendations to the government on amendments to public procurement legislation.
‘Live up to’ Public Procurement law
The Bahamas must “live up to the letter and intent of the law” on public procurement, a governance reformer urged yesterday, as he hailed the unveiling of the Government’s new and upgraded tender portal.
'More productive Bahamas' if we get legal reforms right
Governance reformers yesterday argued that the Government's planned upgrades to anti-corruption, procurement and fiscal laws will set "a path to a more productive and sustainable Bahamas if we get it right".
Banks told to build ‘stronger connection’ with non-profits
Bahamian non-profits need “a stronger relationship with the banks” if the sector is to grow and better meet society’s ever-increasing needs, a governance reformer argued yesterday.
‘Dire straits’: NIB in $70m payout deficit
The National Insurance Board’s (NIB) confirmation yesterday that benefit payouts exceeded contribution income by $70m for 2021 shows The Bahamas has “clearly run out of time” to address its woes without inflicting pain.
‘We must have independent body to probe corruption’
A GOVERNANCE reformer yesterday echoed calls for the establishment of an independent body to vet matters of alleged corruption as the Michelle Reckley case has failed to be heard in the courts.
ORG officials attend Summit of the Americas
LOCAL officials of the Organisation for Responsible Governance have attended the IX Summit of the Americas.
‘Swinging for the fences’ as tax breaks hit $486m
The Government is “doing a bit of swinging for the fences” in its future revenue projections, a governance reformer believes, amid indications $486m in tax concessions were granted during the first nine months of the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
‘No more time to avoid pain’ over NIB reforms
Governance reformers yesterday warned “there is no more time to avoid the pain” associated with saving the National Insurance Board (NIB) as they called for “a clear plan” of rescue that will gain widespread buy-in from society.
COVID food costs ‘far below’ NGOs average
The COVID food initiative’s 8 percent administrative costs ratio is “far below” the typical international benchmark for non-profits, a governance reformer revealed yesterday.
Bahamas ‘struggling with the execution’ in corruption fight
The Bahamas is “struggling with the execution” of anti-corruption safeguards, governance reformers are warning, with accountability and transparency “aspirational” rather than real concepts.
Bahamas corruption: ‘Full picture not told’
The Bahamas’ latest relatively favourable corruption ranking “doesn’t tell the full picture”, governance reformers warned yesterday, as they urged it to “grow a culture of integrity”.
COVID food initiative had ‘highest level of integrity’
The probe into the $51m COVID food assistance initiative will conclude that taxpayer funds were “used to the greatest effect” if it is unbiased, a governance reformer asserted yesterday.
Carnival transparency need is ‘quite obvious’
A governance reformer yesterday said there was “quite an obvious need for transparency” around the relationship between the Christmas Carnival and whichever political party is in power.
GLIMMER OF HOPE: Ratings agency S&P sees economic upturn but private sector cautious
The Bahamas does “not have enough control over our own plight” to take comfort from Standard & Poor’s (S&P) belief that COVID devastation has “bottomed out”, it was argued yesterday.
Governance reformers seek ‘proof in pudding’
Governance reformers yesterday said “the proof of the pudding will be in the eating” over the Davis administration’s pledges to enact anti-corruption and campaign finance reforms.
‘Missing the point’ on VAT debt-cut purpose
Governance reformers yesterday voiced fears The Bahamas is losing sight of VAT’s central debt-reduction purpose amid the fevered political debate over the 10 percent rate cut.
‘Keep politics out of contract review’
A governance reformer yesterday urged the Davis administration to keep politics out of its contract and promotion reviews, adding: “It’s so critical that’s looked at with the most objective eye”.
Moody’s throws wrench into PLP’s VAT cut plan
The Davis administration’s pledge to slash the VAT rate to 10 percent has been undermined by Moody’s downgrade of The Bahamas’ creditworthiness, Tribune Business was told yesterday.
Gov’t urged: Get SOEs into procurement ‘fold’
Anti-corruption campaigners yesterday urged the Government to make it “a priority” that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) use the electronic procurement processes amid recent controversy over contract awards.
‘Pass bill so candidates can be properly scrutinised’
A governance reformer has said the Integrity Commission Bill should be passed to allow for an independent body to be able to scrutinise and vet the disclosures of election candidates.
‘Pass bill so candidates can be properly scrutinised’
A governance reformer has said the Integrity Commission Bill should be passed to allow for an independent body to be able to scrutinise and vet the disclosures of election candidates.
ORG exec: Snap election leaves “several outstanding issues unresolved”
CALLING a snap election has left “several outstanding issues unresolved,” which are “now at risk”, a governance reformer has warned.
Governance reformer: Secure procurement process, integrity
SECURING procurement integrity must be two-fold with a specific process for resolution as well as any legislation having strong technical systems in place, says a governance reformer.
Nearly $70m of IMF’s $250m went to SOEs
Governance reformers yesterday renewed demands for more transparency around state-owned enterprises (SOEs) after they collectively consumed $70m of last year’s $250m IMF loan to The Bahamas.
DIANE PHILLIPS: There’s always a heavy price for broken promises and betrayal
WE don’t often talk about love and politics in the same breath. Well, maybe if we are married to a politician but for most of us, the words politics and love are about as far apart as the Model T and Tesla.
Bahamas ‘not doing enough’ to fight corruption perception
Governance reformers yesterday warned The Bahamas “is not doing enough to change perceptions of corruption” as the US government again cited irregularities in this nation’s procurement and investment approvals process.
‘Can’t rest on laurels’ over 47% FDI rise
The Bahamas “cannot rest on its laurels” despite leading all small island developing states (SIDS) in the amount of foreign direct investment attracted in 2020, a governance reformer warned yesterday.
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