Although they were elected to office by a landslide victory, the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was reminded by Anglican Bishop Drexel Gomez that the Bahamian people are still in great need, and that it is the government's duty to bring relief to all the people.
The former head of the Anglican Diocese in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos islands said at a recent service of thanksgiving for the new government at Zion Yamacraw Baptist Church, that much like Jesus was watched closely by the Pharisees throughout His ministry, the Bahamian people will watch the PLP, especially since their cry for a change has been expressed so boldly.
"This new administration should aim to remember that they are being watched by the Bahamian people to see how they govern the country," said Bishop Gomez. "They have a great responsibility and it is hoped that they live up to it. In the teaching of Jesus in Luke 14 and in Luke 10, a significant point is made that eternal life is that quality of life characterized by showing mercy to those in need regardless of who they are.
"Mercy only sees need and Jesus teaches that you are to respond to human need in a positive way, and I hope the administration takes this to heart. They are to respond to the people in this country who are crying out in a way that brings relief and creates a foundation for further peace and unity in the future."
Bishop Gomez told the congregation that the country has faced numerous problems repeatedly over the years, and that it is time for the government to step up to the plate and address the issues that really matter.
He said the ongoing violence and murders is stifling society and causing many people to live in fear day and night. He said that there should be an action plan that the government can use to assist other institutions who are trying to address this ongoing problem. While the Anglican bishop said he knows the resolution to the problem will not come overnight, he said the government should take measures to help the process along.
"It is also important for the issue of equality of opportunity to be addressed," he said. "The administration should aim to do more to make space for everyone in our society. The most prominent being employment. We are at an all-time high for unemployment and a large majority of this population are young people who sacrifice to qualify themselves and still cannot find work in their own homeland. This is not fair and we should look to turn such a situation around."
The bishop encouraged the government to also look into improving education by making opportunities balanced across the board for all children no matter where they live, what their ethnicity or their family's economic state. He also said he hoped that universal health care and housing issues in the country are addressed so that more less fortunate Bahamians can live a better quality life in their own country.
The bishop also challenged Prime Minister Perry Christie to set the bar higher and encourage accountability and ethics in administration by appointing a national commission for electoral reform. This will allow all institutions in the country to be represented and have a voice in the evolution of the government, and the development of the country. Establishing a code of ethics that those in government must abide by was also something he hoped the government would consider.
"If we do this we will be establishing that we have laws and standards in our country," he said. "I would hope that as we advance more, that such an idea would be utilized because we have to have ethics and our politicians need to be accountable. If we have no kind of standard for them to be held against then anything can go by, and as a developing nation we need to see the merit in such a thing."
Bishop Gomez encouraged the government to be transparent and reliable while in office, and to remember that the people should be a part of the process and not just spectators in their country. He said that if the government could be in constant communication with the people and let decision-making be an effort by all parties concerned, then much of the outcry and anger the people feel at the end of a seemingly failed administrative term can be lessened. At the end of the day, he hoped the government remembered that they were elected to serve the people and should be doing what is best for them and not for themselves.
"And to do all of this you need God. I hope most of all that all members of the government know that they cannot hope to guide the country in the right way without God in the formula. Remember to put your trust in God, be faithful and true to Him and He will guide you to do the works that will benefit the country the most."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian