NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the Bahamas prepares to celebrate its 48th year of independence and in the wake of recent substandard government practices, the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) is calling on Parliament to debate and pass the Integrity Commission Bill, which was tabled in the House of Assembly back in 2017.

ORG Executive Director Matt Aubry said: “Recent actions in Parliament, including calling out a potential whistleblower in public, questions related to conflict of interest and concerns related to appropriate government procurement protocol, all speak to the need for a more independent, apolitical and regularized oversight entity to receive and vet any claims of corruption.

“As it stands, these matters are more likely to become fuel for public and political rhetoric instead of being properly addressed and resolved to the benefit of the Bahamian people.

“The commitment to reduce corruption should not get lost in the back-and-forth.”

ORG in a statement noted corruption is destructive to the national development of The Bahamas and has been estimated to cost the Bahamian economy anywhere from $200 to $500 million each year.

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