Government accused of stonewalling on economy
Updates on the progress of an economic road map approved by MPs in July 2023 have been inadequate, according to the Opposition leader.
Jarion Richardson criticised the response from Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, on the Economic Development Strategy to parliamentary questions on the plan.
The 63-page document covering economic priorities for 2023-27 was produced by the ministry with the Bermuda Economic Development Advisory Board, which is also tasked with tracking and regularly reporting on its progress.
Mr Richardson told The Royal Gazette that despite the EDS being launched more than a year ago, “the only reporting on it is because the Opposition claws information from this tight-lipped Government”.
He added on Friday: “We asked for an update with specific numbers last week Wednesday and the best they can say today is that they are writing a report.”
The Opposition has welcomed C. Anthony Francis, an executive member of the Bermuda Football Association, as its new party chairman, effective October 1.
Mr Francis is also an information officer at the Accountant-General Department, where responsibilities include oversight of information management and compliance with government regulations.
The party said his election by acclamation would be ratified at the OBA conference on September 30.
The Opposition called him “a notable figure in Bermuda, actively involved in politics, football and government”.
He has been an approved candidate for the OBA, with political stands including “fighting against what he and his party perceive as political discrimination”.
Mr Richardson spoke in the wake of written responses given during last week’s sitting of the House of Assembly.
The One Bermuda Alliance leader posed three questions to Mr Hayward, starting with a request for the 2024-25 priorities on the “action items” laid out in the strategy, which he said the minister had committed to give in a May 17 reply to parliamentary questions.
Mr Richardson also asked for the key performance indicators used for the document’s economic strategic priorities — and sought “the timelines, anticipated completion dates and costs associated with the strategic initiatives” outlined in the EDS.
The first two questions received the same response — that a status report was in progress, while a reply to the third query said the details requested were already in the public domain through “various ministerial budget briefs and other publicly available documents”.
Mr Richardson was told: “As indicated in previous statements, the Government continues to progress Economic Development Strategy initiatives.
“The ministry is actively working towards the completion of a status report, which will highlight priorities and KPIs for 2024-25.
“Once the report has been finalised and all necessary internal reviews have been conducted, the ministry will be happy to share it with both the Opposition and the public.
“We believe that sharing this report will facilitate informed dialogue and constructive engagement on various matters.”
Mr Richardson told the Gazette: “It’s clear the public of Bermuda won’t be given any insight into the Economic Development Strategy, what’s happening or what impact, if any, it’s having on our economy.
“The Government is quick to take credit for positive economic indicators, boasting that it’s all due to their economic genius. But they lack the basic professional skill to write an update report in a timely fashion.”
The EDS won broad support from the Opposition during last year’s debate in the House, when Mr Richardson backed the plan but highlighted the lack of “timelines and deliverables” to go with it.
At the close of the EDS, under the heading of “Strategy Implementation Oversight”, the document states that Bermuda’s Economic Development Advisory Board is to furnish the ministry with “ongoing strategic guidance” on the strategy’s progress.
It adds: “EDAB will set key performance indicators and regularly monitor and evaluate the progress of Bermuda's economic strategic priorities.”
To evaluate the plan’s effectiveness, “metrics will be tracked and reported on a regular basis”, enabling “adjustments and refinements”.
Mr Richardson criticised the absence of specifics in the ministry’s comeback to his questions, adding: “Either the Government has no idea what’s happening, or they have no interest in telling the public.”
The Government was contacted for comment, but was unable to respond by press time last night.
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