This past Thursday, May 7th, marked the third anniversary of the current government's election to office. There are two years left in the current term and the question on most Bahamians' minds is: will the next two years be as tumultuous as the last three? Many persons share the view that, over the last three years, the government has moved from one scandal to the next with greater alacrity than was experienced in Perry Christie's first term in office between 2002 and 2007.

There are many supporters of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) who are disappointed, disaffected and despondent about the dismally disappointing and in some cases deplorable and dismissively disdainful demeanor with which the government has responded to criticisms to its governance, which in many cases are justifiably proffered. Even more scathing sentiments are felt by those who do not support the PLP.

As we mark the third anniversary, we would like to reflect on the performance of the PLP's term in office to date. Therefore this week, we would like to Consider This... how has the government, thus far, performed in office?

Successes
Most objective persons will agree that the government has experienced some successes. Despite public criticism, Bahamians will generally agree that those successes include the regularization of the local gaming industry, the implementation of value-added tax (VAT), a more focused approach to Immigration, its endeavors to attract foreign investment to the country and this past weekend's Junkanoo Carnival celebrations.

Disappointments and disillusionment Crime
Prior to the May 7, 2012 general elections, the PLP in opposition openly lashed out at the deterioration of our society because of the scourge of crime. Crime has accelerated since its election and Bahamians are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the government's inability to make impressive inroads when it comes to eradicating what has become an intractably invasive incursion into our daily lives. Greater emphasis must be placed on reducing crime and the fear of crime in our community.

Unemployment
Since assuming office, based on data disclosed by the Department of Statistics, the overall rate of unemployment has increased to 15 percent. This has been of particular concern for young persons, in the case of whom unemployment exceeds the national rate and who seem hopelessly hampered from participating in the mainstream economy.

While Bahamians appreciate that this phenomenon was dramatically driven by the worldwide recession that started in 2008, the PLP campaigned on the promise of creating more jobs if given an opportunity to govern. It has not delivered on this promise.

The economy
The anemic economy has led many Bahamians to feel that they are alienated from active participation in the economy. There is a general sense that only a select few are given genuine opportunities to fully realize their dreams of developing business enterprises. This phenomenon is frequently fuelled by their inability to access capital from the banking sector, which has tightened its grip on lending, and the inability to receive timely and favorable responses to their requests for the government to grant Crown land for entrepreneurial ventures. Their requests appear to fall on deaf ears.

The government seems to be more focused on providing assistance to foreigners investing here than to Bahamians who were asked to support the PLP, which campaigned on the promise to "put Bahamians first." In addition, Bahamians are losing their homes in higher numbers than ever before and the government's mortgage relief program has been a dismal failure.

The perception of being "locked out" of any realistic possibility for more meaningful participation in upward economic mobility has left many Bahamians with a sense of angst and frustration.

Parents, hopeful that a college education would improve their children's chances of greater economic participation and upward mobility, are now advising their children who are studying abroad that they should not return home because of the scant opportunities that await them here. Sadly, this admonition has become the rule rather than the exception.

Unrelenting barrage of scandals
Bahamians are also increasingly disillusioned by and have become weary of the relentless barrage of scandals that have plagued this administration in rapid succession. The scandal related to the Ministry of Works Letter of Intent, which resulted in the termination of one parliamentary secretary, was exacerbated by another senior minister's disappointing response to the scandal.

The BAMSI fiasco has done little to inspire the public's confidence in the government. In addition, the wasteful squandering of public funds to retain an auditor to audit the work of a colleague relative to the Public Hospital Authority, without ostensibly addressing the concerns expressed by the initial auditor, has left many confused as to why the government would support such a nonsensical decision, instead of dealing with the results and recommendations embodied in the initial auditor's report.

The intervention by another minister of the government into a judicial matter has caused many Bahamians to wonder whether the government fully appreciates the separation of powers doctrine. Bahamians are now extremely disappointed, but not surprised, by the attorney general's decision to effectively quash this matter, further diminishing public confidence in that office.

The unprecedented attack of the auditor general and the dismissive demeanor and refusal of two former senior government figures to graciously respond to a request to appear before the Public Accounts Committee has left Bahamians wondering how average citizens can be expected to obey our laws when senior former parliamentarians respond to a parliamentary committee with arrogance, disrespect and disdain.

The government's gross mismanagement of the Rubis oil spill, which, until recently, was shrouded in secrecy until officials were embarrassed into releasing the oil spill report, has been enormously disappointing. In short, public officials have demonstrated a dogged determination to take no responsibility whatsoever for their actions and have opted to blame others for their own shortcomings.


Transparency and accountability
The government has become overly sensitive to and arrogantly dismissive of the Fourth Estate, complaining that the press is against them. Members of the government should acknowledge their miscalculations, missteps and mistakes and appreciate that the press has a sacred responsibility to uncover the truth and to keep the government in check, particularly in light of an ineffectual opposition.

Instead of shooting the messenger because of the message delivered, members of the government should realize that the hallmark of good governance is greater transparency of and accountability for their actions, policies and decisions.

Resetting the agenda
The government should appreciate that, although there are two more years until a general election must be called, it really has just 18 months left to change the national narrative, because in the final six months we will enter "the silly season" and, by that time, voters' minds will have been largely made up. The government must, therefore, now urgently review, redefine and reset its agenda and priorities if it expects to reverse the trends of the last three years and regain the mandate at the next elections.

The time has now come for the government to reflect on what it can realistically achieve in the next two years, focus on those objectives and urgently implement policies that will enable it to restore the trust of the people.  Failure to do so will result in its dismissal at the next general elections.

Above all, the time has come to honestly assess the promises that were made during the last campaign and determine which of those promises it can realistically keep - and use its remaining time to satisfactorily fulfill those promises to the people.

Conclusion
To date, the successes of the last three years have been overshadowed by the challenges with which the government has been confronted. It is not too late for the government to reverse this reality. It must now regroup and rebuild public trust.

Finally, it must take full advantage of and embrace the institution which it has perceived as its nemesis - namely the Fourth Estate, in order to effectively and openly deliver its message to the people.

Time is very clearly running out. The government now has less time remaining in this term than they have already spent in office. Most importantly, each member of the government should seriously consider the sage advice of the prominent poet, Robert Frost, and remember that it has "promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep."

o Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis and Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in parliament. Please send your comments to pgalanis@gmail.com.

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