It's called the Belize Governance Improvement Commission: 13 leaders of labour, political, religious, civil society and public sector groups who have been appointed to put and keep the government in check. It's a tall order, and we went to today's launching to see if the expectations are inflated with more hot air, o the cool breeze of change.
Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister
"Today we embark on a course of renewal to improve public confidence in the integrity and effectiveness of our parliamentary democracy."
Renewal: it's a tough course for any second term administration already fatigued by the heavy mantle of governance. But unbearable heaviness of being boss was not visible on Prime Minister Musa this morning as he spiritedly championed the cause of governance reform to an audience of senior public officers, ministers of government, civil society leaders, including trade unionists, and indigenous rights advocates. All those groups are represented on the commission whose members received their letters this morning along with a sobering call to action:
Hon. Said Musa,
"The task before the commission will not be an easy one."
Not easy because these members have been entrusted with the public responsibility to make sure government does its work the right way and to do that they'll have to enlist the conscientious participation of regular citizens.
Hon. Said Musa,
"This requires that people participate in matters of governance so that they understand the economic and social policies and contribute to them. People's participation will result in transparency of decisions in matters such as award of contracts, licenses, appointments, and other privileges."
But to truly convince the public it'll take more than just an upbeat pitch and we put it to the Prime Minister that his government's deeds openly betray the spirit of transparency and reform that he espoused today.
Jules Vasquez,
I am saying that this is a government that has had many secret deals so now to say that you are going to be transparent isn't that a bit of a farce?
Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister
"No. First of all you have to understand that contracts are made by government everyday of different types. Do you expect the government to disclose all the contracts, all the transactions that it undertakes? That is not what this is about. What this is about is when it is in the public interest that something should be disclosed then it will be disclosed."
Jules Vasquez,
Specifically with the BTL contract they are indemnification here, they are waivers of public revenues….
Hon. Said Musa,
"…And the leader of the opposition has disclosed it for us so no problem."
Jules Vasquez,
You all agreed to keep it secret within the document…
Hon. Said Musa,
"No. No. No. I said publicly that we would have made it public. I said that but he jumped the gun. He went ahead and exposed it so what are you complaining about? The contract has been disclosed."
Jules Vasquez,
Within the contract it says that we will keep all documents related to this secret?
Hon. Said Musa,
"No. No. You have to read carefully what the document says. Confidential doesn't mean you don't disclose. It means they are certain things that for the integrity of the business transaction they want this. You will find this in most business (transactions) that involve millions of dollars."
And if transparency cannot exceed the bounds of confidentiality in million dollar deals, should the public believe that an advisory group such as this truly hold government to the fire?
Jules Vasquez,
As only an advisory group it has no real effect on Cabinet which operates at its executive whim.
Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister
"Well no I can't agree with that. They would make their recommendations public and the Prime Minister or the Cabinet has no control over the commission and the public recommendations that they will make. So it's not a rubber stamp."
Jules Vasquez,
So you're saying that if they publish this, because of the public disclosure, you can embarrassed into good government?
Hon. Said Musa,
"Sure. Part of bringing about renewal and change is the concept of shame; shaming something. When you shame something you get change; change comes about. When you embarrass a person that person perhaps relents or moves on to something else or does better. It's no different with a government and we have to be prepared to face that."
It may not be the most elegant approach, but and chair lady Dr. Carla Barnett agrees that shame does work, and the public will have to decide who to shame.
Jules Vasquez,
This is just advisory. I have served on advisory commissions, you can advise all you want but the government operates at its executive whim, that is the culture of governance in Belize and Dr. Barnett, Goldwin Hulse, or Luz Longsworth cannot change that culture.
Dr. Carla Barnett, Committee Chair
"It can only be changed by people demanding it be changed. It's an advisory body yes, but it also has reporting. Normally advisory councils send a report to the Prime Minster and Cabinet. This advisory commission reports to the general public. Everything that it does it reports to the general public so people will know what is being done and what is not being done. And if the commission doesn't do its work then the general public can say 'You See!' they set up another one that is not doing its work."
And their work means dealing straightforwardly with abuses and misgovernment; the question is how ready are these leaders to tackle government head on?
Senator Godwin Hulse, Committee Member
"People are aware that look its still not okay. They are still things that not are correct in this country hat we need to correct. If we want to move ahead then the fundamental thing for me, as you know Jules, is to ensure that resources of the people are utilized for the development and improvement of the people; not for the improvement and development of private individuals. In other words there is a famous quote recently by an Indian diplomat who said that now in many of the third world countries privatization means the assets of the people are transferred to an individual while the debts are nationalized."
Jules Vasquez,
You could recommend how you want but government will run at its whim and if you immerse it and try to shame it - they are past shame. This is because you can win an election in three months if you have the right song and you have the right financial backing for a campaign.
Senator Godwin Hulse,
"That is a national problem Jules. That is a national malaise and one of the things people say to me all the time is Godwin why you continue to try. It is because you cannot, not try. You have to continue the process of saying (talking) to people. And if everyday you convince one more person that guess what its not a band of people dancing out there, it is not a blue note that will govern you for the rest of your life but it is your standing up or your refusing to participate in the wrongdoing. And if you can convince one person a day then you will be making some progress."
It's an earnest undertaking by an honorable group but will it be enough to appease international watchdogs and a voting public ware of executive abuses in the short term: maybe, for long term results the public will have to take charge and demand more, more integrity, more information, and more accountability of government.
One of the 13 commissioners did not show up today; that is, the opposition representative. And our advice to the commission chair Dr. Carla Barnett, save a chair, don't expect a baker's dozen. Opposition Leader Hon. Dean Barrow today confirmed that his party will not be sending a representative at this time. Barrow says his party cannot in conscience subscribe to a good governance effort group when government is actively trying to suppress the circulation of relevant contract, most notable the contract between GOB and Print Belize limited which the supreme court ordered to be disclosed and government has since appealed that decision.