We are now in the final moments of 2015 and the countdown to the Auld Lang Syne has begun. Bahamians across our archipelago of islands have commenced the festivities that have become synonymous with this time of the year as we bid the current year farewell. As we turn the page on the year that was, it is important that we do not forget the reason for the season amidst the celebrations.
This piece concludes the two-part series that assesses the top 15 topics that had been identified at the beginning of 2015. It would be an understatement to state that the current administration has its work cut out and may very well be the most scrutinized government in the history of The Bahamas. Nevertheless, governments are put in place by the people to address the issues that impact the lives of the populace and are expected to govern in the best interest of the people they lead.
Immigration
The governor general gave assent to the Immigration Amendment Act 2015 in May and the accompanying regulations came into force during the same month. The new legislation strengthened the framework for immigration by empowering the Department of Immigration, providing stiffer penalties for illegal migration and creating an Immigration Reserve. The act also created an immigration status known as the Belonger’s Permit for those born in The Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents that are lawfully in the country.
As expected, there were quite a number of debates on immigration during the year as human rights activists sought to ensure that the immigration legislation and policy was being applied appropriately. This led to some legal challenges and pronouncements that caught the attention of the media.
A lot of Bahamians would also not forget the challenges faced with the issuance and renewal of electronic passports during the year caused primarily by resource constraints at the Department of Immigration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was agile in responding to matters raised and provided updates on its operations.
BAMSI
There was minimal visible movement in the completion of the Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) during 2015. This followed the significant setback caused by the fire that gutted one of the main buildings within the campus. It was discovered that the building had not been insured and this generated quite a lot of debate.
BAMSI, which had been touted as one of the main programs of the government to diversify the economy and put us on the road to food security in the years ahead, did not take off as expected during the year. It is anticipated that BAMSI will continue to be a matter of interest until it is fully completed and operational. However, 2015 was not a stellar year for this important program.
Energy and oil exploration
During 2015, details of the much anticipated restructuring of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) emerged with debates in Parliament. It was reported that over $1 billion may be required to meet the financing needs of BEC and its successor – Bahamas Power and Light (BPL). A transitional agreement was signed with PowerSecure as the company was confirmed as the management company during the year. In spite of the fall in the price of crude oil globally, Bahamians saw little reduction in the local price of fuels until recently.
The discussion on oil exploration and drilling in The Bahamas got some press time during 2015. However, the debate did not intensify until more recently when the Petroleum Bill and Regulations were debated in the House of Assembly. There was much discussion about the BPC and the referendum that was promised by the Progressive Liberal Party in its charter for governance.
While the minister responsible sought to explain that a referendum will only make sense if exploration reveals oil in commercial quantities in The Bahamas, the government was challenged on its commitment to seek the endorsement of the populace before any form of drilling commenced.
Resolve Bahamas
The creation of the special purpose vehicle Resolve Bahamas by the government in 2014 received mixed reviews. There appeared to be minimal movement vis-à-vis the recovery efforts of Resolve during 2015, although the chairman of the entity provided the public with updates on the company’s efforts and challenges.
It was reported that Resolve had some challenges with obtaining requisite data from BOB initially. Additionally, the possibility of additional non-performing or delinquent accounts and assets being transferred to Resolve attracted the attention of the populace during 2015. There is no doubt that Resolve will remain a topic of interest going into 2016.
Constitutional referendum
It was disappointing that the constitutional referendum made the list of topics for 2015 as many Bahamians had expected this to be addressed before the end of 2015. It is simply unacceptable that the referendum has not been held to date and we can only hope that 2016 will be the year it finally happens.
The commitment of the government to this important item on its agenda has come into question due to myriad postponements
Gaming in The Bahamas
The passage of the Gaming Bill in 2014 set the stage for the transformation of our gaming laws and the legalization of web shops. Conditional gaming house operator licences were issued to eight of the nine applicants during 2015. The only gaming house not granted a licence has taken legal action seeking a judicial review of prior rulings on this matter.
The consolidation within the gaming sector that many envisaged did not happen in 2015 and concerns about the potential impact of gambling on our people remained a matter of discourse during the year. Meanwhile, gaming houses became more visible in terms of expansion across our islands and their outreach programs.
National Development Plan
The National Development Plan: Vision 2040, which is being funded by a grant from the Inter-American Development Bank, remained a priority for the government during 2015. While the secretariat sought to ensure broad consultation and stakeholder input, there were concerns raised about the level of diversity of participants.
The secretariat has established a website and has been encouraging feedback from all Bahamians. The plan has as its main pillars the economy, governance, social policy and the environment. The intention was for the plan to be completed by June 2015; however, the website for the NDP projects that the plan will be completed sometime in early 2016.
Credit reporting bill and bureau
The long overdue credit reporting system for The Bahamas received some focus in 2015, even though the empowering legislation may not have advanced as expected. In February 2015, Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBB) in conjunction with the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation and Bahamas Development Bank hosted an information session on the Credit Reporting Bill. The CBB facilitated additional informational sessions and discussions to further educate the populace on this transformative policy decision.
During the year, it was reported that the CBB was working feverishly to draft the legislation with the hopes of having the bill passed in Parliament by the end of 2015. The CBB had also noted that credit bureau service providers’ proposals were being reviewed. As the year draws to a close, it is unclear and probably unlikely that the bill and accompanying regulations will be passed or come into force in 2015.
Conclusion
The predictions of many did not include the landfall and devastation of Hurricane Joaquin. This is testament to the unpredictable nature of the future and the curveball that life throws at us from time to time. It is in those times of adversity that the indomitable Bahamian spirit is revealed for all to see. This is why this writer’s pick for the Person of the Year is the Bahamian people – A people united in love and service.
Through the highs and lows of the year that many will not forget in a hurry, there were moments of celebration during the World Relays hosted by The Bahamas. Our sons and daughters also made us proud in academics, professional accomplishments and sporting events, just to mention a few.
The actions and inactions of the current administration in 2015 will be weighed in the balance by the populace and future generations. In the meantime, we have every reason to be thankful for another year in spite of our challenges.
As the curtains are drawn on 2015, sincere appreciation goes out from my heart to you and yours during this holiday season. May you feel the warm embrace of the most high God and appreciate the selfless sacrifice embodied in the giving of his only son. Have a safe, merry and enjoyable Christmas.
• Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.
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