Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, Prime Minister Perry Christie, admitted Sunday that the government is not “sufficiently responsive” and therefore had a “colossal failure” in its inability to inform Bahamians of its efforts since being elected to government in May 2002.
“I announced recently the reorganisation of The Bahamas Information Services, with a view of trying to find the formula, not only to have the people of our country know what we are doing, but also to sensitise people about certain issues and special needs of the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister was a special guest Sunday on Love 97 FM, Jones and Co. talk show, hosted by Wendall Jones.
Mr. Christie also pointed out that those individuals, who speak about the government’s failure to inform the public, are being heavily influenced by the politics of detractors who speak about the government not doing anything. He, however, stated that the public is impatient and this is all fueled with their not knowing how to “transform decisions” that will manifest over the years.
“Instead, they want to see, touch and feel,” he said, adding that with his governance, he wants to be able to transform the way the country is governed and use monies on developments that would have a greater impact in the country.
Mr. Christie said that the public does not really examine infrastructural works that need to be carried out in the country, but are only impressed with wonderful buildings, and referred to the Welcome Centre at Prince George Dock as an example. He noted that the building is wonderful, but there still remains a dock that is not properly repaired.
“These decisions that we have to make that go to the root of governance, people don’t see. It is important for us to tell the story and this is where we have failed. We have not properly articulated what we met and the state of affairs,” he admitted.
Prime Minister Christie said the PLP is facing an electorate that has high expectations. He said that sometimes, judgments are exercised in his view, prematurely, but nevertheless; they are judgments that he has to deal with. He added that he is also challenged to defy or put in perspective, some of the perceptions of the New PLP, in addition to those perceptions that go way back to former times.
Mr. Christie further admitted that The Bahamas has missed the boat greatly in its governance and have proven to be a country that puts too much attention on superficial matters.
“I know this sounds condemnatory, but I believe that we could have a significantly better country, if we brought the best minds of our country, into the governance of the country and some decisions could be better made, if in fact, we were able to consult even some of the people who live in our country,” he said.
The Prime Minister charged over the airwaves that the PLP government should not be judged on its performance this year, nor next year, but over the next four years. He also noted that the public may see the government as having a slow start, but this is only because it failed at its public relations. He however explained that the government is “on course.”
“It is staying on course. We are where we are suppose to be today and as things manifest themselves, people will believe,” he said, adding that in the coming weeks, the country will begin to see and hear about the many investments the government has on the drawing board.
Mr. Christie also outlined that Bahamians are looking toward the future and it is his opinion that the PLP was voted into government because he tends not to get “caught up” in personal criticisms and look back at failures. He said that he would rather build on the successes of the past and avoid mistakes of the past.
Throughout its second term, the Prime Minister expressed that he is very passionate about how the party will survive and noted that he informs his government that they must have much integrity.
“I say to my fellas, that if you cause people who support you to have a sense of shame, they will not support you, so therefore it is important to speak to those areas in the past where shame resulted, so that they could truly understand the relationship between people feeling ashamed and voting against you,” he said.
According to the Prime Minster, there are also those who may criticise him for appointing certain individuals on various boards. He explained that when appointments were carried out, he kept an open mind. He said that all individuals had to meet his integrity test and had to have a vision for The Bahamas that was mainly focused on improving its people. In addition, he mentioned that he passionately believes in giving second chances.
“I am not one who believes in keeping people out if I believe that they are capable of making a contribution” he said.
By Tamara McKenzie, The Nassau Guardian
