The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) acknowledges the Government’s efforts to ease the cost of living and stimulate recovery through targeted tax relief and infrastructure investment in the FY2025/2026 national budget. However, the organization is encouraging a deeper, more sustained investment in the country’s transparency and accountability mechanisms, which are critical for long-term national development.
Despite broad-based consumer relief measures, this year’s budget allocates only $140,000 for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This figure has remained unchanged over the past two years and is far below the $1 million estimated by Information Commissioner Retired Justice Keith Thompson to operationalize the law. Similarly, the Ombudsman’s Office, intended to address maladministration and strengthen public service oversight, is allocated just $39,000. The Independent Commission of Investigations, introduced earlier this year to address corruption and police complaints, is allocated only $30,000. These figures remain static across the government’s projected out-years, suggesting limited intention to scale or implement these reforms in any meaningful way.
Funding for the Public Disclosure Commission also remains flat at $80,000, despite longstanding public concern about its accessibility and effectiveness. Meanwhile, the Tax Appeal Commission received no increase even though it is now tasked with additional oversight over VAT and procurement-related appeals. No funding appears to have been allocated for the Police Inspectorate, the body mandated to oversee the Police Force’s Complaints and Corruption Unit. That internal unit itself is budgeted at less than $2,000.
“These institutions are vital to ensuring that the promises made in the budget are met with the accountability and public oversight that good governance demands. Institutions like FOIA and the Ombudsman’s Office are critical for public confidence and civic engagement. Transparency helps good policy succeed,” said Matthew Aubry, ORG’s Executive Director.
ORG expressed concern over the lack of detail in the budget communication regarding governance, public sector performance, and procurement reform. While the Prime Minister emphasized that the budget was guided by data and evidence, many key national priorities like institutional strengthening, gender equity, youth development, and digital transformation, were either lightly addressed or omitted entirely. The National Youth Policy framework, for example, received no budgetary increase.
“We heard ambitious themes like modernization and economic transformation,” said Therese Turner-Jones, ORG board member and regional economist. “But these were not backed by timelines, metrics, or funding. A strong national vision must be matched with the tools to deliver on it—and that includes functional, well-resourced public institutions.”
ORG emphasizes that accountability frameworks are not just democratic safeguards, but also economic enablers. When citizens have equitable access to information and the ability to report inefficiency or wrongdoing, public services improve, trust increases, and the investment climate strengthens. Over the past five months, ORG has held a series of nationwide forums discussing FOIA and public participation with community members. The feedback was clear-Bahamians want access, equity, and fairness. Better understanding of the decisions that shape their lives can help them to ask, access, and act.
Transparency builds public trust and reduces waste, improves procurement outcomes, and empowers communities to advocate effectively for their needs. While allocations for sidewalks, drainage, and social assistance are welcome, greater transparency is needed to ensure these funds are equitably and effectively spent. Ensuring meaningful investment in transparency is one of the most important ways we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and more accountable Bahamas.
As Parliament continues to debate the national budget, ORG encourages all Bahamians to contact their elected officials and voice support for fully funding the institutions that protect your right to know and help to build trust in the systems of governance. To make this easier, ORG offers a free tool at www.orgbahamas.com/foia-hub to help you craft and send a message to your Member of Parliament.
“This is a budget with visible consumer benefits,” Aubry added. “But long-term resilience requires investment in the systems that support decision-making, oversight, public trust, and civic participation. ORG remains committed to supporting the government, civil society, and the Bahamian people in building a transparent, participatory, and resilient democracy.”