Two recent unpopular decisions made by government boards or committees have not changed the way the People’s Progressive Movement will approach such matters.
Mr. Tibbetts said at the Cabinet press briefing on Friday there are processes involved with the various boards and committees that must be followed.
‘The elected arm of the government cannot and should not be interfering with the operations of these boards on a daily basis,’ he said. ‘If government was simply to interfere with their functions, then… we shouldn’t even have the boards and just bring everything to government and let government deal with it.’
Mr. Tibbetts brought up the issue in connection with a decision of the Liquor Licensing Board that will allow Jacques Scott to open a store in Savannah and the decision of the Central Tenders Committee to award a contract for architectural and mechanical services for the Bodden Town Emergency Response Centre that was 40 per cent higher than the lowest bidder.
‘When these boards make decisions, they are not necessarily decisions that everyone will be in agreement with,’ he said. ‘But at the end of the day, we must put some trust in them.’
Mr. Tibbetts said the boards and committees do the best they can and that it is commendable that people will serve on them.
‘They make what they consider, in accordance to the law, the decisions that are in the best interests of the people of this country.’
Mr. Tibbetts said many people think the government made the decisions.
‘That is not the case,’ he said.
Some people ask for the government to step in and reverse unpopular decisions.
‘But the first time government interferes with a board’s decision, they’re going to turn around and say government should not interfere.’
What the government can do is look at laws the committees and boards have to abide by.
‘Government can review [the laws] from time to time and make the necessary amendments,’ he said. ‘It is our responsibility as legislators to keep tabs on what is relevant to society.’
Speaking specifically about the Central Tenders Committee, Mr. Tibbetts said he thought the system generally works well.
However, he said the CTC is working under new directions.
‘We have given them a new set of directions that we consider relevant,’ he said, adding that these new directions were issued a few weeks ago.
Leader of Opposition McKeeva Bush does not think the CTC system works well.
‘I’ve said that a long time,’ he said. ‘It’s been a complaint for many years.’
Mr. Bush believes the CTC system is not geared for smaller contractors.
‘The smaller guys really have no hope in that system,’ he said.
‘It needs to be changed to ensure it is fair. Right now, I would say it’s not fair.’
Mr. Tibbetts
Mr. Bush
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