NASSAU, The Bahamas --  Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, the Hon. Clay Sweeting said that the Public Procurement Bill 2022 would be key in addressing some of the challenges faced by residents throughout the country, especially those on the Family Islands, as he made his contribution to the bill's debate in the House of Assembly, March 15, 2023.

He said: "Madam Speaker, for as long as I can  remember, Family Islanders have  experienced a noticeable disconnect from  Central Government as it relates to Procurement and Contracts for Services  provided. But we are fixing it!  Government administrations have for so  long overlooked the capacity, the talent, the  ability of Family Islanders to provide certain  services. But we are fixing it!  Madam Speaker, while we are on the topic of  Local Government, I want to say that as we debate the Public Procurement Bill, 2022 and the Public Finance Management, 2023 I want  to recognize some of the challenges faced by Residents throughout the Family Islands and how this bill will undoubtedly impact their  lives."

He noted: "For major construction projects, Family  Island Contractors are sometimes unaware  of a contract that has been put out for Tender until the work commences.  Or on the  other hand, the contracts are posted only on the Administrator's Notice Board in the week that the deadline occurs, removing the  opportunity for an interested bidder in securing all the documentation needed to  submit a bid for consideration."

He said this bill would address instances like that.

"The newly implemented features to the Procurement Platform are simple to  navigate, one is able to access all the  opportunities available or simply tailor the  submission for their particular interests. One is also able to determine their particular  island of choice for their interests or they  may simply choose to access all the opportunities available throughout the  Commonwealth. No matter which island you  reside on, Bidders, Contractors, Service Providers can access the same system with the same information and are afforded the same opportunity to economic  opportunities available by the  Central Government," said the Minister.
He said that this revised system eliminates obstruction for Family Island residents by providing a platform which allows the equitable  participation of all registrants on the system.

"On this note Madam Speaker, I encourage all  Family Island Contractors and Service  Providers to sign up on the Bonfire system,  ensure that your business licenses, tax  compliance certificates are current and  search the platform for available  opportunities. The revisions to the system are  very user friendly and you are emailed and  updated when opportunities in your selected sectors are posted," said Mr. Sweeting.

He said that with major investment projects on the way for the Family Islands, this bill would level the playing field for Family Island residents.

"As is evident, there is a whole lot of  advancement that has begun to be  implemented throughout the Family Islands.  Major investment projects have been signed, major improvements to public facilities, and an aggressive focus on Family Island airports,  and of course major opportunities in Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island affairs are afoot for many islands  across our archipelago. With these economic  activities underway, the portal is accessible  to every Family Islander as opportunities  become available. This is what the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance is advancing for Family Island growth and  development and for our nation."

He said that the implementation of checks and balances,  thorough oversight and an accessible  platform is yet another example of good  governance and a transparent system that the government has implemented.