Minister: Freedom of Information legislation may be tabled next month

Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald.

As of Wednesday, September 7, 2016

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said he hopes to table the long-awaited Freedom of Information legislation in October.

Speaking to reporters before a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald said the Freedom of Information (FOI) committee has finished its work.

“I received the report with the recommendations from them a week before last,” he said. “I’m now preparing a Cabinet paper for their recommendations to come to Cabinet to see with regard to the recommendations for the changes in the Act which ones will be accepted and which ones will not be accepted.”

He added: “Within the next two weeks the Act should be before Cabinet and I’m looking to bring that to the House of Assembly when we return in October. I’m really trying to make sure the debate on it is ended by the time we finish for the year.”

The final public consultation on the FOI legislation in New Providence took place late June at the Church of God of Prophecy, followed by meetings in Exuma and Eleuthera.

The Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) has played a leading role pushing for recommendations to the Act that would limit the interference of government officials and increase transparency in government matters.

The group has said that a strong Freedom of Information Act will have long-reaching implications to the future of our nation.

“Freedom of information is the first critical step to the correction of a massive number of serious government ailments that are undermining the stability of the Bahamian government and the Bahamas,” Matthew Aubry, executive director of the Organization for Responsible Governance, said earlier this year.

“Both the public perception and/or reality of government corruption, cronyism, nepotism or extortion are significant problems for the socio-economic well-being of the Bahamas, and these ills will only be combated by the enactment of a highly respected and effective Freedom of Information Act.”

A FOIA was passed in early 2012 by the former Ingraham administration, months before the last general election. However, there was no date for enactment.

When the Progressive Liberal Party assumed office that year, it said the legislation needed significant tweaking before it could be enforced.

In May last year, the government released a draft of a revamped version of the legislation.

Sickened 8 years, 3 months ago

I can't even be bothered reading what this man has to say. ROLL OUT!!!

justthefactsplease 8 years, 3 months ago

"MAY" ...LMAO...so you saying you MAY NOT...Ok, I get it. Won't hold my breath.

Naughtydread 8 years, 3 months ago

Rubis report "may" be released, Carnival numbers "may" be released, creditors "may" receive payment. Could you please GTFO with your complete and utter nonsense. The Garbage man himself spewing pure feces out his mouth. I wouldn't trust that good for nothing lying scumbag as far as I could throw him. WE ARE DONE WITH YOU AND YOUR PLP CRONIES. PLEASE STOP TALKING BECAUSE NO ONE, AND I MEAN NO ONE TAKES ANYTHING YOU SAY SERIOUSLY.

Islandboy242242 8 years, 3 months ago

HROOOOMMMM..................holding my breath.....................................................................

GrassRoot 8 years, 3 months ago

how is going with the oxygen? 4 hours and counting...

asiseeit 8 years, 3 months ago

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GrassRoot 8 years, 3 months ago

Minister of Mis-Information and Un-Education.

Greentea 8 years, 3 months ago

LMAO! So true. Man the PLP cant be serious getting THIS dude to make any announcement on freedom of information. THIS dude? It is a definite signal that this is a joke. These fellas are flickin unbelievable. Take the Bahamian people for an azz and sooner than Sunday, you find they are kicking you in yours. I am winding my good right foot up for them come election.

MonkeeDoo 8 years, 3 months ago

What a Jackass he is !!! I wonder if the Trib will publish these comments ???

alfalfa 8 years, 3 months ago

Mr. Minister of Education, who could not get the schools repaired on time, for the new year and who revels in the d- average. You have enough time to utter that the freedom of information act may be tabled next month. You have time for this but not your own bailiwick. This act would mean you will have to give us the scoop on the Rubis oil spill in your constituency, the nolle when you were acting attorney general (God knows how), from where you obtained the famous emails tabled in parliament, your involvement with a convicted felon who is one of your generals. You better hope this legislation never reaches parliament.

sheeprunner12 8 years, 3 months ago

Fitzgerald has NO moral integrity to present any FOI legislation after what he did in Parliament with the shady campaign generals' government contract deals, the gun possession Nolle, the STB emails and the Rubis oil spill.............. Perry should not let him lead this FOI Bill because this man has lost his personal and political credibility

John 8 years, 3 months ago

Remember when you were a child and you ask your parents to buy you a toy and they say "NO, Christmas right around the corner." And you use to go looking around the corner to see if you see Christmas. But you didn't. Or Maybe you couldn't. Then one morning you woke up and see the big Christmas tree loaded with lights and toys and, more importantly, the toy you been asking for all along. Well so shall it be with the freedom of information act.