There are an inordinate number of traffic lights around the island that are either not working altogether or they are no longer synchronised.
This is not only inconvenient for drivers, it is putting citizens at risk and increasing the work load of the police who have to deal with traffic accidents when they could focus their energy to solving crime.
Some intersections without functioning traffic lights have become dangerous to both motorists and pedestrians.
The Nassau Institute has learned that the Ministry of Works has not yet awarded a new contract for the maintenance and repairs to traffic lights on the island after putting the job out to bid late last year.
After hearing this, a friend of the Institute decided to take the Government – or more specifically, the Ministry of Works – to court to resolve this issue.
However, he soon discovered that the average citizen cannot take the government or its agencies or corporations to Magistrateﾹs Court. Citizens can only file an action in the Supreme Court, at a minimum cost of $15,000 to $20,000.
So it was decided to contact a member of parliament and write a letter to the Minister of Works in an attempt to get the matter rectified.
An Interesting Dichotomy
This one incident confirms the double standards of the government. Parliamentarians pass laws supposedly to keep businesses and individuals accountable: rent control, price control, labour laws, and a myriad of laws incorporating fines against offenders whether it is for littering or swearing etc.
And guess what? The authorities can summarily fine an offender or employer or business from his or her desk. They do not even have to go to a Magistrateﾹs Court for an independent decision. Not to mention the Supreme Court.
Supposedly these bureaucracies are created to help the average person get results without the burden of going to Court. Because after all, there are so many dishonest business people and citizens. Right?
Well this begs the questionSwhy canﾹt Joe Public sue the government in Magistrateﾹs Court or take them before an Accountability Commission. It seems only logical that what applies to Joe Public, should apply to the government. After all, doesnﾹt every political party claim they will be above reproach if elected to parliament?
Maybe P.J. O’Rourke was right when he noted that, “If government were a product, selling it would be illegal.”
The Nassau Institute
January 20, 2005
