Introduction:
An article in the Nassau Tribune on September 5, 2018, expressed many learned opinions on how local government would improve New Providence communities. It was quite theoretical and full of good intentions. Although the origin of the article was not identified, Senator Ranard Henfield was mentioned as leading a committee on the subject.
I composed a reply to Sen. Henfield based on my attending local government meetings regularly over the past 25 years in Central Abaco and the Hope Town District and also in the other districts sometimes. My comments went to Mr. Henfield on the afternoon of September 5.
That evening I attended a local government meeting for Central Abaco without prior knowledge of the agenda. To my surprise, attending were Abaco’s two Members of Parliament, about ten heads of various government departments on Abaco and as expected, the town committee chairmen (mayors) for Murphy Town, Dundas Town, Marsh Harbour and Spring City along with the chief councillor and council members for the district.
It was a three-hour session voicing complaints on government indifference to Abaco's local issues. My original intent in replying to Sen. Henfield was merely to point out issues where proper attention might help the existing or proposed system work better. After the marathon local government session, I decided the topic should be directed to a broader audience of persons who might have some interest or influence.
I do not want this original response to Sen. Henfield to be used as a letter-to-the-editor, but feel free to use this as it might interest you. My interest stems from my many years of publishing the Abaconian newspaper and covering much of Abaco’s civic and political events. Although I sold the Abaconian six years ago, I am still interested in seeing my adopted island prosper and move forward.
It is inevitable that New Providence will be given a degree of local government, not why or how, but when. It will be easier to administer and accept if meaningful changes to the system are enacted prior to its being put in place. Success will not be a one-size fits-all approach. Situations in the various districts in Nassau will vary greatly just as they do in the Family Islands. Also graft, selfishness and indifference are all a part of society’s fabric worldwide, and we are no different. Checks, balances and oversight must be well thought out.
Dave Ralph
Do You Want Local Government For New Providence? Tribune 29 August 2018
THE government is conducting widespread consultation on the implementation of local government in New Providence.
A national advisory committee was launched in April, according to a press statement, which explained that the Minnis administration was hoping to build upon the successes of the Family Island system established in 1996.
The committee is chaired by Senator Ranard Henfield.
The consultations target a wide cross-section of New Providence residents to gauge the needs of the local populace and to gain insights from them to assist in the implementation of their desired structure. (● Without understanding the realities of how government functions or how funds are allocated, high expectations are deflated when local persons actually grapple with the issues? We suggest that you carefully investigate successes and frustrations of Family Island Local Government. There have been successes, but frustrations with the system have caused many of the better motivated people to withdraw in mild protest.)
Mr Henfield said: "Introducing a strong system of local government would empower New Providence residents to resolve a lot of our local issues from alleviating traffic congestion, deterring traffic violations, eliminating neighbourhood `bush' mechanics. (● Local people trying to implement local traffic issues is not a simple matter. Hope Town has been trying for years to get local traffic rules in place but finds it frustrating to get Nassau's cooperation. Although local input is encouraged, the actual process is long and cumbersome. The Local Government Act gives local government the authority to create traffic patterns. However, there is no help given on how to navigate the cumbersome process through the required Nassau agencies.)
"I believe that empowering communities through local government would significantly decrease the nuisances and pollution from residents burning trash in communities and dumping unwanted appliances on vacant lots. (● Garbage and refuse are still dumped on roadsides, vacant lots and side roads in the Family Islands. It is wishful thinking that local government can stop this dumping.) Additionally, empowered communities would be able to address issues such as animal and animal cruelty around the island." (● Although animal cruelty can be brought to the attention of others, local government has no authority to get involved. If they were given authority, would they be funded?)
He added: "We live in a country with innovative, intelligent and proud Bahamians who, while eager to assist in community and national development, are limited to vying for Parliament to contribute to the development of our communities and country at large. I think it's time we encourage leadership at various levels of society and government." (● Correct – however, after serving a three-year term in local government, those with ideas and initiative frequently quit in frustration. Various administrators have confirmed that the first term of local government in 1996 was the best as it was motivated individuals who took part. All administrators that I have met have said the system has gone downhill following that first term. The system still works, but it is often less qualified persons who are involved.)
The committee is now it its second stage of the project and expects to deliver its recommendations to Cabinet later this year.
The list of persons the committee hopes to meet over the next few weeks include MP’s, government ministers, permanent secretaries, Family Island councillors and administrators, major third parties and a few others with institutional knowledge. (● Candid meetings should be held with Family Island Councils and Town Committees to get some knowledge of a 20-year-old working system. Most of the persons mentioned in this paragraph have no working knowledge of actual township and council meetings although they may be dedicated to moving government’s agenda forward.)
"We would love to sit with the permanent secretaries, MP’s, Family Island councilors and administrators," Mr Henfield said. "We know that they hold the key to advancing democracy by empowering communities in New Providence." (● Persons at the top of government’s hierarchical chain are not the ones to consult with. Candid talks should be held with actual Family Island persons who serve but are constrained by the system.)
According to the statement, the committee itself reflects a diversity of residents including: Dr Nicolette Bethel of the University of The Bahamas, Valentino `Scrooge' Brown of the Hay Street Community Movement, Dr Nicola Virgil-Rolle of the National Development Plan, Ed Fields of the Downtown Nassau Partnership, Roderick Pinder of the Bahamas Association of Local Government Authorities and many other noteworthy residents. (● These are all well meaning and well intended persons but who have no actual experience with the 20-year local government system now in place. America, England, Jamaica and other countries have a 200-year history of local government. It will take time to develop a mature system in this country. A major obstacle here is its archipelagic nature which is not helpful for Family Islands. Local government for Nassau might have a better chance as frustrated persons could drive to Works, Environmental Health, Education, etc. to discuss problems. Family Islands do not have that luxury.)
As part of its consultation, the NAC engaged Bahamian agencies in July to consult various residents from the 24 communities around the capital, inclusive of civil society organisaions, the business community, the media and community leaders to gather their input.
"Consultation with the public about what they want in local government in New Providence is critical," said NAC member Matt Albury of the Organisation for Responsible Governance.
"The goal of local government is to give citizens greater opportunity to express their ideas and concerns about their communities. This is an effort of empowerment and civic engagement, seeking input through an open and honest dialogue can provide an insight into what is really important to the people." (● Great philosophical statement. Ask persons in Sandy Point, Dundas Town, Hope Town, Harbour Island and George Town how much attention they get from government agencies. Perhaps members of parliament should be required to meet with local government regularly. It is the infrastructure in Nassau that actually controls schools, clinics, airports, etc. There is also a recognized gap between local government persons and their MP. )
Participants in the NAC's consultation exercises were generally open to the idea of local government implementation for New Providence. They were eager to offer suggestions on issues which ranked high on their list of community concerns – better area planning, education, waste management and even community safety. (● Great ideas but existing government agencies have the experts to manage these things. These agencies tend to be protective of their mandate and are not generally open to outside ideas. Perhaps the system needs to loosen up so local input actually gets to those in the different ministries and departments that have qualified staff but are not at the ground level in communities.)
Those polled also offered their opinions on specific caveats designed to make a local government system more accountable and weighed in on how such initiatives could be funded without adding to the overall tax burden of Bahamians as well. (● There is room for central government to be more helpful to local government persons on financial, managerial and legal matters such as issuing contracts for local work. At budget time, requests for additional funding must be accompanied by detailed justification. The local government members are not aware of the details required for convincing Nassau agencies that their requests are legitimate. Local attitude is typically “. . . . there is more garbage now than before, so we need more money.” True, but it lacks a well thought-out response and is generally ignored. Volunteering and getting elected does not make these people knowledgeable about what Nassau requires.)
Another NAC member, well-known morning talk radio personality Dwight Strachan said: "This is one of the most important issues facing the future development of the entire Bahamas, not just New Providence. (● Possibly, but central government must loosen the constraints placed on local government which might require a bit more oversight on how is money actually being spent, etc.)
"True local government, with elected representatives fully empowered to address community challenges without having to appeal to (and wait for) central government for matters like fixing traffic lights or potholes, traffic flow and zoning, or garbage collection and recycling programmes (is needed)." (● Earlier mention was made of 24 distinct areas suitable for local government in New Providence. It is not practical to think of 24 mini-works departments that would be needed for local government to fix potholes and traffic lights. This is where there needs to be improved efficiency within existing government departments, requiring them to cooperate with the local government groups.)
End of the newspaper article and my specific comments. Following are some comments as a result of my observing local government meetings for 20 or more years.
The Central Abaco District is the country's largest district and comprises Dundas Town, Murphy Town, Spring City and Marsh Harbour, In loose terms, this council area is Abaco’s commercial and administrative hub serving our scattered resorts and second homeowners.
The Hope Town District Council is the country's largest in terms of revenue generated for government. This is due to a significant number of foreign-owned second homes and a vibrant tourism element. It is acknowledged that Abaco generates more revenue for The Treasury than Grand Bahama which has two or three times the population of Abaco.
An example of government’s indifference to effective oversight is the common practice of withholding twelve percent of each district’s budget. Each month's available funds have been reduced by 12%. The withheld amount is released at the end of the fiscal year next June when local government councils must justify its use.. It is a futile attempt to cause local government councils to be frugal with less money. In mid-June the money is released with no fore-warning, and the local government councils scramble to spend it legally before July 1. If it is not spent, it reverts to The Treasury. That is to be avoided as it tells officials that the district can get by with less money for the following year.
In practice, the local government councils are given a two-week window in which to identify projects, request three quotes, get the work done and make payments often in the thousands before the end of the June. Real needs get funded but often money is spent on less important spur-of-the-moment items such flags for the upcoming Independence celebrations or a charitable donation may be made to a local Junkanoo group just to make sure that they spend the money so it does not go back to Nassau.
Those persons serving in local government are mostly ordinary residents without experience in financial matters or without managerial abilities and generally without meaningful initiative. Central government is not helpful in coaching, mentoring or assisting to get better results.
In local government’s 20 year short life, there have been only two significant changes, one made the system worse and one made it better. The local authority to issue shop and business licenses was taken from local government and given to a government-appointed expert in administrative matters. Apparently there were concerns of local authority approving or denying applications due to bias. The new system removed that bias. Now instead of five, seven or nine local people possibly being biased, we have a single entity issuing licenses thither-and-yon without any local community input.
The second change relates to delinquent property taxes being collected locally and forwarded to The Treasury. Although the Act applies to the entire country, only the Hope Town Council has a Memorandum of Understanding to proceed with a guaranteed refund of two percent of what they collect. The MOU alludes to the refund as possibly being up to ten percent. In a year’s time that council sent nearly $900,000 to The Treasury. Six months after sending that amount, they have not received an acknowledgment or thanks or any mention of their two percent.
Other problems have surfaced that have not been resolved. A couple of examples follow.
Hope Town residents bought an automobile and donated it to be used by the policeman stationed there. Title was retained by Hope Town so the vehicle cannot be taken elsewhere by the police. That caused a subsequent problem as the police department cannot buy fuel for a vehicle it does not own.
A resident in Man-O-War donated a residence for use by the Ministry of Health for a clinic with a government nurse stationed there. However, a piece of medical equipment could not be provided by the Ministry as they cannot provide items to facilities they do not own.
These are examples of central government’s indifference or lack of understanding that illustrate the frustrations of communities trying to be helpful but being rebuffed by government regulations. Somehow the government’s different elements need to work together more closely. For local government to succeed in New Providence, this gap of indifference must be overcome.
Local government is a great institution and must continue and be improved. However, putting a pot of money on the table and saying, “Go fix things” is not the way to go. Some islands are more advanced socially, economically and more able to competently manage local affairs. Other islands do not have this same capacity. Due to the disparate nature of the country, a successful local government system must somehow accept and allow for these differences.
Also, those in authority on a Family Island must have some latitude to make meaningful decisions in times of major emergencies. Soon after Hurricane Floyd crushed Abaco in 1999, a DC3 plane arrived with a load of donated bread and other foodstuffs. Since no one was on hand to pay the duty, the plane went back to Florida with the entire load of food.
Local government would be very helpful to New Providence in times of hurricane reconstruction or any other disaster. Local people can mobilize quickly, and they know the problems of their areas much better than bureaucrats who are bound by protocols in a thick manual.
I believe that zoning exists in New Providence which will help local government there. Zoning does not exist in the Family Islands but is a problem that has to be resolved and mitigated by local town planning boards.
I have concluded there is an great opportunity for local government to succeed in New Providence. As happened in the Family Islands 20 years ago when community leaders volunteered and got elected, the same phenomena may happen in New Providence. Excitement and optimism will likely bring forth the motivated individuals.
Government must implement appropriate legislation and functional regulations to allow local government to succeed. The day-to-day rules must be such that those elected can see that their efforts bear fruit.
Perhaps the Ministry responsible for local government should include a knowledgeable person to be a training officer, mentor or guidance councillor to those new persons who are now chosen experts on solving local issues. Success will also depend on whether voters choose experience and qualifications or are more comfortable with those with ingrain tribal loyalty.
Mentoring would be helpful for New Providence and would be equally helpful in the Family Islands. However, airfare, overnight hotels, etc, would add an impractical expense to managing the system in the islands.
I do not claim to be an expert on local government issues. However, I have attended most local government meetings in Central Abaco and the Hope Town District over the past 20 years and occasional meetings in other Abaco districts as well. My wife and I published The Abaconian newspaper, and I covered these meetings as a matter of public interest.
I close by encouraging you to visit to Abaco and other Family Island to get some insight into the actual issues local government faces. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you either as a participant with your committee or to remain as a silent observer as newspaper reporters are often obliged to do (as I have always done when attending local government meetings.)
Feel free to share these comments as appropriate.
David Ralph, retired newspaper publisher
