EDITORIAL

The PPM’s first six months

Wednesday,  November 16, 2005

Six months ago today, on 18 May 2005, the first sitting of the Legislative Assembly following the 11 May general election took place, and the current People’s Progressive Movement (PPM)-led administration effectively took over the reins of power in the Cayman Islands.

It is worth taking another look at the achievements of the new government, especially as there have been some significant developments since the last such review in these columns.

One huge step forward that we have commented upon frequently over the last several years looks as though it might finally take place, namely, a freedom of information law.  Only time will tell whether the promising theory of full disclosure contained in the draft legislation will be translated into a practical reality, but the introduction of the proposed bill represents a campaign promise kept by the PPM.

Formal investigations into some of the questionable activities on the part of some elected members of the previous United Democratic Party (UDP) Cabinet also formed the basis of an election promise and, again, this was initially pursued with commendable speed and vigour.

Since then, however, these issues have largely gone silent, but perhaps the proposed new freedom of information law will enable the local media itself to pursue its own investigations with a view to bringing into the light what others may wish to keep under cover.

The Government’s response to the recent upsurge in crime in the country was a willingness to spend whatever it takes to deal with this problem but we are still anxiously awaiting some substantive results from the additional money being made available for law enforcement purposes.

The Government has been true to its promises to be open and transparent and it has performed so far with integrity.

Unfortunately though, it appears that this administration may have run into some difficulties early on as a result perhaps of political immaturity.

There also seems to be a slow response to many of the pressing problems this country currently faces and what initiatives have been taken seems to demonstrate a certain amount of procrastination on behalf of the Government over dealing with the things that really matter to the people.

Aside from the problems of recovery, which still plague so many people and not least the state of the Islands’ roads, the continuing rising cost of living is probably a key problem in most people’s lives here.

With soaring exorbitant accommodation prices and spiraling fuel costs everyone is suffering and yet little seems to be happening that would directly address that issue.

Moreover, the problem of crime is continuing and while many hope the introduction of the visa for Jamaican’s visiting these shores will be the solution, others doubt it.

They are concerned that the unintended repercussions of that particular initiative will impact our financial system negatively.

The decision not to allow the hospitality sector to make the most of the potential earnings for New Year’s Eve this year with a slight amendment to the music and dance law will also create economic hardships.

While there is certainly an air of honesty and integrity about our current administration and we believe credit is due in many quarters, there is still much work to do and we hope as the Government matures it will address this issue and meet the needs of  all the people of the Cayman Islands as they were duly elected to do. 

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