Accountability is most often paired with transparency and is recognized worldwide as one of the hallmarks of good government. In fact, during the lead up to the 2010 general elections, the AUM’s campaign focused heavily on this issue and, based on its resounding victory at the polls, it is safe to assume that the populace was impressed with the party’s declared commitment to ensuring accountability in government. Surely, accountability is a noble concept and I cannot imagine anyone even suggesting that there is no need for accountability in government. However, have we ever really considered its meaning? Accountability is derived from the word accountable which means “responsible to someone or for some action; answerable” (Collins English Dictionary). In the context of government, I take this to mean that our Government is responsible and answerable to us (the people – the electorate – of Anguilla) for its actions or inaction.
During the early years after the AUM administration had assumed office, there were several public consultations held particularly with regard to Anguilla’s economic situation. The AUM administration did a wonderful job of canvassing the views of the public with regard to any proposed measures for Anguilla’s economic recovery. The AUM administration also took the opportunity to “hang” the former AUF administration “out to dry” in relation to the state of the Government’s finances. The AUM could, at that time, legitimately blame the AUF administration for the alleged “financial mess” it inherited. However, as we approach the close of the AUM’s fourth year in office, the AUM is silent in relation to the island’s financial situation. Could it be that we can now hold its ministers accountable? Could it be that its ministers can now be held responsible for the state of our economy? Or could it be that its ministers are assuming that we are all well aware of the state of affairs? Whatever the reason, I believe the AUM Government needs to have a frank discussion with the people about Government’s financial situation.
There should be full disclosure of Government’s balance sheet. We are aware that the AUM administration inherited considerable debt. Shouldn’t we now be informed about what the debt situation is, and how much of it the AUM administration has been able to successfully address? After all, it is the taxes – ooops – levies, that we pay, which help to finance the operations of Government. Shouldn’t we be kept abreast of Government’s revenue and expenditure situation? Certainly, this information should be made available to the public, just as would normally happen if we were dealing with a public company. I am sure the AUM administration has nothing to hide. As persons whom we elected to serve the interests of the general public, we must assume that their frequent/expensive overseas trips, hiring of assistants and development of “hardly used” roads are all legitimate and justifiable. So there should be no hesitation in making information on both recurrent and capital expenditure public.
In a similar vein, our Government also owes us an update on the situation regarding the banking sector. It has been several months since the takeover of our two indigenous banks, by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, in a drastic move sanctioned by our Chief Minister in an effort to salvage the institutions and protect the interests of the public. We must commend our Chief Minister for taking a decision that could not have been easy and which had, and still has, the potential to make him vastly unpopular. We ought to believe that he acted in good faith and did what he thought was best for Anguilla even if, in the long run, it turns out to be otherwise. However, since the flurry of activity and speeches when the takeover took effect, we have heard little or nothing from our Government on what progress has been made in stabilizing the banking sector. How close are we to achieving the objectives outlined for the takeover? We have no idea. We have been asked to continue our business as usual, and I think we ought to applaud ourselves for doing just that. How much longer must we continue, though, without even an iota of information about how our banks are doing? Are we to assume that our savings and investments are protected? Our Chief Minister is answerable to us for the part he played in this situation, so we have to call on him for the information that we are entitled to, not only as depositors, or shareholders but as citizens, because whether or not we are customers of the affected banks, their wellbeing impacts all of us.
Lastly, in relation to the issue of job creation, a statement from our Government on investment projects is long overdue. In keeping with the principle of accountability, the government of the day is responsible for providing the environment – the stimulus – for economic growth and we hold its members to that responsibility. As people continue to find themselves out of work, with families to feed and sinking in the depths of despair, the question is: is there any hope? We have been kept well aware, via the media, of the many MOUs Government has signed for tourism-based projects. I think I speak for many when I say we are not interested in hearing about anymore signings. We are more interested in start dates. Our people need something tangible to look forward to. We need to know that within a specific timeframe job opportunities will become available. Government can address this concern by letting the public know the status of the projects which are the subjects of the various MOUs, and can begin publishing real, not imagined, start dates for the various projects. At least that will let the public know these projects are not pipedreams. The oft-repeated mantra that a project is “coming soon” is comfort to no one. By signing the MOUs, Government has confirmed that it believes the particular investors have the capacity to deliver the projects. It is therefore only fair that we hold Government accountable for ensuring that the projects come to fruition in a timely manner.
I end where I began. Accountability in government is not to be taken lightly. It is not a word simply to be used because it sounds good and conveys the right message. A government that is accountable is responsible or answerable to the people for its actions. It is our duty as citizens to ensure that that responsibility is not forgotten.
