No Room for Playing Politics

Most disheartening was a statement made by Sir Leroy Trotman during his address at the opening ceremony of the Biennial Conference of CTUSAB on Saturday September 11, 2004 . Sir Leroy charged Government with being manipulative by not inviting the Trade Unions to be part of the Barbados delegation to an upcoming meeting with the European Union (EU).

Even more disturbing is that he noted that Civil Society was invited seemingly to the exclusion of the trade unions. This is something that BANGO is unaware of. So the question is who in Civil Society was invited?

Certainly it is time for Civil Society to consolidate itself. The reason being that whatever government does, affects the population of Barbados and if we are seeking good governance then it is imperative that the social partnership is properly developed and respected.

Recently, a member of the private sector, during a news interview reported that it was necessary to keep tabs on government because Government signs these agreements which impact negatively on the way they trade.

One can only interpret this to mean that Government behaves like a loose cannon; out there making agreements without proper consultations and without the necessary experience and information to make sound decisions.

What does this say about government when its citizens have to monitor its activities in this way? It is like roles turned around; like a child minding the parent when really the parent should know better. What is it that government hopes to achieve by this kind of behaviour? Certainly not good governance!

By the same token, it is also time for Government to take the necessary steps to regularize its relations with Civil Society. It cannot be over-empahsised that Governments must find out what its citizens are willing to work with; whether it is BS&T, the small man on the corner or consumers. All are key players in the economy and none should be disrespected.

If it is that Government finds it hard to determine who or what is representative, then certainly going ahead on its own steam is still not acceptable. When it comes to Civil Society invitations should be open as opposed to closed. We therefore have to start with who is interested rather than who is privileged.

This should also be a process whereby interested parties turn up to a consultation and by the end of the consultation arrive at a decision as to who can represent whom and identify the issues to be addressed.

The business of this nation, except for national security, cannot be a closed shop. Everything cannot be confidential. There must be a policy on information disclosure as it relates to the people's business.

Obviously, in the absence of a policy, somebody will have to "vet" everything on its own merit. This takes time and hence what should be automatic is held up until some Civil Servant gets the word that it can be released.

There are also some critical questions which will inevitably arise, even if only in the minds of people. For example, the question of accountability; how can government accountable be transparent if it keeps all information close to its bosom?

How can we speak of open government when all information is buttoned up? Where to ask a question becomes an offence? Where Civil Servants when pressed become frustrated and snap at the public because they are not empowered to give information or make a simple decision?

We have developed a small population of little Caesars, where some Chairmen of Statutory Boards feel that even the Minister can't tell them anything, when in truth and in fact they derive all their authority directly from the Minister's portfolio. They want to circumvent the Minister and find comfort in the power of the Prime Minister.

From the top to the bottom, everybody is ruling with an iron fist. This cannot be healthy and is not a positive influence on good governance. This is the bureaucratic equivalent to a computer virus bent on destroying access to information and crushing minds (crashing computers) in the process.

As we approach the implementation date of the CSME, Government has to get serious. At this time we cannot be playing politics with the destiny of this nation and indeed this region. It makes us look like little children playing with toys rather than serious people taking up the challenge of self-determination.

Roosevelt O. King
Secretary General - BANGO
bango@admin.org.bb