In 2022, a number of questions were put forth to Prime Minister Davis by Candia Dame’s, at that time he refused to answer them, today we have a new set of questions being asked of the prime minister and his government and again he and others simply refuse to be accountable and transparent but only this time we have Pump #10 chiming in, in what I can only describe as an attempt to be “cute”.

“10 things we did not get answers to in 2022” – The Nassau Guardian – Dec 14, 2022

Excerpt from this article; “When it comes to transparency and accountability in office, administrations often talk a good talk, buy into their own hype and obfuscate while failing to be truly accountable or transparent.

“Accountability and transparency” are often convenient declarations, but many times we are met with obscurity and spin in our demands for information.

While the Davis administration has kept its promise to hold regular press briefings, and while many Cabinet ministers are accessible to media, there are often questions we never get answers to, and, it appears, never will.

Meanwhile, the establishment of infrastructure to give effect to the long-delayed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) hampers the ability of media and the general public to access information they have a legitimate right to.

It appears that it will be some time before we can actually begin requesting information under this critical piece of legislation, which was passed during the last Christie administration.

In addition to unanswered questions, there are numerous pledges that Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Davis, while in opposition, indicated would be fulfilled early, but have yet to receive attention.”

Now two years later we have Prime Minister Davis yet again avoiding to be transparent and unaccountable to the people by again refusing to answer questions put to him by the Opposition.

 “PM dodges questions” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article;

“Except for two questions answered by Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell regarding diplomats appointed by the Davis administration since September 2021, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) members of Parliament yesterday refused to answer a series of questions put to them by Opposition Leader Michael Pintard during Question Time in the House of Assembly, with Prime Minister Philip Davis accusing him of “grandstanding” given that his party’s leadership race is in a few weeks.

Many of the questions Pintard asked have been on the agenda of the House of Assembly for months – some dating as far back as last October.

Minister of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby Davis went as far as to say she will not answer questions Pintard asked her about Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) – which falls within her portfolio – until after the Free National Movement’s (FNM) convention on June 1.

The connection between her obligation to answer questions and the opposition party’s convention was unclear.”

“I am not prepared to answer those questions today, but I will assure the member for Marco City (Pintard) that after the convention, I will be in a better position to answer those questions,” she said.”

Indeed, the connection between her obligation to answer questions that pertain to the nation and the opposition party’s convention are quite unclear and I would say non-existent but it would appear that the “good” minister in her attempt to be seen and heard and cute can only be seen as merely arrogance and ignorant while providing an answer that would have any right thinking people asking; what is wrong with this woman?

The lack of responsiveness to questions from both the media and the opposition is worrying, especially considering the promises made regarding transparency and accessibility to information.  The delay in implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the recent negative reaction to it by the chairman of the New Day Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), further exacerbates the issue of hindering the public to access critical information.

Additionally, the refusal of the “good” minister to answer questions not until after the Free National Movement’s (FNM’s) convention raises questions about the motivations and priorities of the New Day government.

This behavior not only reflects poorly on the individuals involved but also undermines public trust in the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

It’s essential for a functioning democracy that elected officials are held accountable for their actions and decisions. Hopefully, continued scrutiny from the media and the public will lead to greater transparency and responsiveness from the government in the future but from the direction of the current government this is very doubtful.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason; it is their nature.

END