Dear Editor,
The investment climate report released by the United States Department of State has hurt our country and we might see negative reactions in the short term, something that our country does not need at this juncture. We risk having longer unfavorable effects if we don't step up to the plate now and begin to make much needed changes.
I have watched our government waste time, castigate groups and even private citizens about the source of the investment climate report, when in reality they should be moving with haste to repair our broken system. A simple survey by the Department of Statistics today would overwhelmingly show that the Bahamian people for years have known that contracts are awarded to political cronies and that the disregard for law and order at all government levels is endemic.
Any civil servant who can hear and see can tell you that there is political interference in all government ministries. This is just the norm. Let us not fool ourselves. This is The Bahamas we all know and we all know what goes on in the back room and many times in plain sight.
The government of the day has a unique opportunity to finally right a lot of the wrong that goes on in the issuance of contracts and they can begin the steps to regaining the people's trust. All this talk about being puzzled or confused and who wrote the report is just a deliberate attempt at wasting the Bahamian people's time.
The jury is out Bahamians. The stench of our dirty laundry has hit international airwaves. The way we issue contracts has come into question and is now known internationally. I appeal to all Cabinet ministers, senior government officials and anyone else charged with governance to please let's get on with it. Let's stop skylarking and pass the Freedom of Information Act. Let's enforce the Bribery Act. Let's award contracts on merit and not on party allegiance. Let's enforce the laws of the country regardless of whom it may affect and let transparency reign. Let's all start to peel away at this hole that we have dug for ourselves.
Notwithstanding that this debilitating culture of outright corruption is entrenched in many Bahamians, if the status quo remains we will find that our reputation will again come into question in the international arena. It's time to take corrective action Perry Christie and Philip Davis. It starts with you two leading the way. On the eve of our independence, let's move forward together with a renewed sense of urgency.
- Dehavilland Moss

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