Lack of accountability & transparency in Gov't hurting society- Dr Irad Potter
Chief Medical Officer Dr Irad Potter was among a full group of dentists, massage therapists, psychologists, and health professional who gathered at Breezeway, Central Administration Complex for the January 11, 2018 staging of one of Government's recovery and development plan consultative meetings.
"Not only must this coordinating committee have accountability mechanisms, our government must have accountability mechanisms and transparency must not only be with this committee, our government must have accountability and [be] trusted. It is hampering our society," said Dr Potter.
He continued, "When we walk our streets and people tell you they don't trust the government we need to be careful because the cohesiveness that we are seeking to have is always going to be elusive."
According to the senior local medical professional, "We must come to the point where we understand our responsibility as guardians of the country on behalf of the citizens, not some citizens but all of the citizens."
He pointed out that the surveys that were done post hurricanes Irma and Maria within the constraints is applicable, "But certainly we are going to have capacity to continue to do those surveys because there are many people we did not reach and so we will have to continue to build our database," said Dr Potter.
Dr Potter's comments largely supported
There were many concerns raised by several of the professionals at the session yesterday but Dr Potter's comment on these issues were the only time the audience loudly applauded, especially when he called for the government to be accountable and transparent.
His plug on this segment of his discourse continued as he stood in defense of many residents, both local and expatriates, who are always skeptical about speaking their minds especially in public spaces.
"It is not enough for us to be meeting with various sectors, we have to put some system in place and build effective monitoring and evaluation tools so that we know when we are in a better place not because of who is the government today...."
Dr Potter added that there are many other things that needed to be done as a country in order to be able to grow but there must be a will.
Citizens muct not be afraid to participate
He expressed profound gratitude to the facilitators for the conduct of yesterday's and similar sessions, "Because it allow for some of us to say somethings but there are lot more people who are very afraid to say and we cannot develop and grow if the citizens are afraid to participate."
He said there should mechanisms in places that allow for participation without persons being fearful. "They should be instutionalised from here on, here it should be a country that belongs to the people," said Dr Potter as the applause from the audience grew louder.
Meanwhile, the session was facilitated by Mr Broderick Penn, the Chairman of the Disaster Recovery Coordination Committee (DRCC). Also a facilitator at that session was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms Petrona N. Davies.
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15 Responses to “Lack of accountability & transparency in Gov't hurting society- Dr Irad Potter”
I agree with Potter but who is one who help kill the public service especially health and always travelling with no results.
Dont say one thing and then react to negative comments, it will never work.