The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Prime Minister last night admitted there was “an urgent need” to resolve land-related issues, especially the granting of Crown Land to Bahamians and transparency associated with this process.

Mr Christie, in an open letter sent yesterday to organisers of the ‘We March’ protest planned for today, promised to “move in earnest” to create a Land Registry, on the grounds that this would clarify ownership and prevent disputes.

“My government recognises that land for Bahamians is essential for economic development and social progress, and that there is an urgent need to resolve land issues in the country,” the Prime Minister wrote.

He said the National Development Plan, which is being crafted with input from the private sector and civil society, had made recommendations on how to resolve land ownership disputes, particularly those impacting commonage or generational properties.

“It also makes recommendations for improving the allocation of Crown Land to deserving Bahamians who have a serious and viable plan for putting the land to productive use,” Mr Christie said.

“We also need to improve the transparency of all Crown Land matters, and we are determined to do so. The Government also intends to move in earnest towards the creation of an efficient Land Registry to reduce land disputes, and to clarify who owns the land in the Bahamas.”

Some observers are likely to wonder why it has taken a protest march to encourage such pledges from the Prime Minister, given that Bahamians have been screaming for decades about the need for greater transparency in the granting of Crown Land.

Calls for a Land Registry are also nothing new, and many are likely to treat these renewed promises with scepticism until the Government follows through with action, rather than ‘empty pledges’ or ‘hot air’.

Transparency and accountability, long neglected by successive PLP and FNM administrations, was a recurring theme in Mr Christie’s letter.

Describing a “governance reform agenda” as set out in the fledgling National Development Plan, Mr Christie said this focused on public sector reforms that include revisions to General Orders - the rules and regulations that govern the civil service.

This, the Prime Minister added, would “ensure greater accountability and transparency in the delivery of public services”.

He also promised an Open Government Strategy, alongside a Freedom of Information Act, to produce “greater transparency”, plus ‘conflict of interest rules’ that would govern government and opposition figures, and civil servants.

Campaign finance reform and improved fiscal management, “so as to ensure the prudent, efficient and honest use of public funds and all levels of the Government”, were also outlined as key reforms by Mr Christie.

“I believe that we can, and must, continue to develop our philosophy of governance, emphasising increased accountability and transparency,” he said.