The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

PUBLIC consultation on the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) draws to a close at the end of the month with the final town hall meeting in the capital being held tonight.

The meeting, at 7.30pm at the Church of God of Prophecy on East Street, Nassau, will be followed by one at the Exuma Foundation in George Town, Exuma, tomorrow night and at Governor’s Harbour Primary School, Eleuthera, on Thursday, June 30.

Public consultation began in April with town hall meetings held in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

In a statement last month, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald advised that public consultations will be held in Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma over the next six weeks with the final town hall meeting slated for New Providence.

The government has since come under fire from civil society organisations, who underscored “decided lack of interest” in passing and implementing a Freedom of Information Act.

Citing the critical need for public education on the role of a FOIA, the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) criticised the government on the lack of meaningful engagement with civil society. The group hosted an independent forum last month, as a response to claims that the government’s efforts have not been effective or sufficient.

The government’s initial meeting in Nassau reportedly drew only 15 persons and the second in Grand Bahamas had only five.

According to ORG, its public education forum had some 100 attendees and was backed by Citizens for a Better Bahamas, The Nassau Institute, The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, The Bahamas Bar Association, Civil Society Bahamas and We the People. ORG is calling for greater public participation on the proposed legislation.

Mr Fitzgerald, who is responsible for the legislation, explained that notices will be published and also listed on the Ministry of Education’s website and Facebook page, and encouraged persons to review the legislation and provide feedback in person, on the website or by letter.

The government released a revamped draft version of the FOI legislation last year. Mr Fitzgerald has said that the Christie administration would seek to table the document once Parliament reconvened after the summer break, suggesting it would likely take place between October and November.

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