The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

CIVIC and political organisations across The Bahamas are expected to meet in Rawson Square today to demand Freedom of Information legislation from the government as parliamentary debate on the national budget continues.

However, the Progressive Liberal Party will not be one of them, according to its chairman Bradley Roberts.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Roberts said he did not receive an invitation for support from organisers, adding that he was confident the government would introduce legislation in a timely manner.

Mr Roberts said the Christie-led administration was committed to ensuring the bill was revised and enacted, pointing out the legislation was included in his party’s Charter for Governance.

More than 20 organisations from civic and political groups have provided sponsorship for today’s demonstration, according to lead organisation Save the Bays Bahamas, who listed sponsors from political parties, trade unions, environmental and human rights groups.

Bahamas Against Crime, headed by Rev CB Moss, pledged support as a co-sponsor last week declaring that a Freedom of Information Act will “remove the veil of secrecy which is a part of the culture of Bahamian governments”.

Leaders from the Free National Movement and Democratic National Alliance are among those slated to speak during the demonstration, which is scheduled from 8am to 2pm.

The current Freedom of Information Act, which was tabled in the House of Assembly in October 2011, was passed by the Ingraham government just before it was voted out of office on May 7, 2012. However, no date was provided for its enactment.

According to the Bill, the Freedom of Information Act, 2012, would come into operation “on such date as the Minister may appoint by notice published in the Gazette and different dates may be so appointed for different provisions”.

Last August, Prime Minister Perry Christie promised that the FOIA would be enforced and an Information Commission would be set up within this current term of office, though he did not specify when the FOIA would come into operation.