Leader of the Opposition, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) believes promised legislation on accountability and transparency will not be worked on until closer to the end of the National Democratic Party (NDP) term in office. Photo: VINO/File

The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), right, continues to not honour their promise of 'Government in the sunshine'. Photo: VINO/File

Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) was a guest of Fresh Radio Vybz show hosted by Paul A. Peart aka ‘Gadiethz’ show on CBN 90.9 FM on March 2, 2018. Photo: Facebook

However, while much of the territory might be happy that the legislation were promised, Leader of the Opposition, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) believes that we will not see those legislation being worked on until closer to the end of the NDP's term in office.

The territory’s next election is slated for 2019.

“My hunch is those things such as the Freedom of Information Act and the Ethics Legislation for Ministers, most likely those kind of things that are going to bring accountability, I don’t see the government working on them till coming to close to the end of their term,” he stated.

Hon Fahie was at the time a guest on the Fresh Radio Vybz show hosted by Paul A. Peart aka ‘Gadiethz’ which was aired on CBN 90.9 FM on March 2, 2018 and added that the list of legislation is “quite an ambitious one” and includes many that he has been lobbying for for years. “So we have to see what they are going to work on.”

Lead by example?

Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka 'Gus', in reading the speech stated “Madame Speaker, our Government will lead by example and put in place a Code of Conduct which will govern the operations of Ministers of Government. The Code will identify a set of standards that Ministers are expected to follow in the context of protecting the integrity of their public office.”

The Speech also identified the review of the Register of Interests Act, the Complaints Commission Act and all other legislation regarding upholding integrity in public office and explained that it is “to ensure the Territory has the right set of good governance standards.”

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, which will see the public access to information that the government has been keeping secret for years, has once again made the agenda for legislations to be tabled or reviewed.

In the 2018 reading of the Speech from the Throne referring to the FOI it states, “The Bill will include the guidelines for how people can access public records and it will outline the exempted categories. This piece of legislation will allow for increased transparency and accountability of public affairs. The Bill includes recommendation for the establishment of a Freedom of Information Unit to provide the public with the appropriate administrative mechanism to make and receive requests.”

In 2016 the said bill was also on the agenda for review, which is why many will not be holding their breath for the bill to be passed any time soon.