Bahamas Information Services Updates
DPM Davis Says Communication Between Sectors Essential to Partnerships
By Eric Rose, BIS
Jul 4, 2013 - 7:03:27 PM

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis speaks to members and guests of Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise on the issue of “Opportunities for Public and Private Partnerships”, during the Rotary Club’s Officers Installation Programme, held at the British Colonial Hilton, on July 4, 2013. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis told members and guests of Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise, on July 4, 2013, that free communication between leaders of both private and public sectors on a regular, ongoing basis is essential to partnership that returns benefits to all.  

“Public / private partnership is not considered to be a novel concept,” Deputy Prime Minister Davis said.  “The desirability of these arrangements is widely recognised by international agencies.”  

Deputy Prime Minister Davis spoke on the issue of “Opportunities for Public and Private Partnerships” during the Rotary Club’s Officers Installation Programme, held at the British Colonial Hilton.  

“These organisations have acknowledged the potential generally of public/private partnerships in contributing to good governance, the strengthening of democracy, as well as sustainable economic and social development,” he added.   

Deputy Prime Minister Davis said that while discussing public / private partnerships, however, one must remain cognisant of the circumstances – some of which are “very unique” – that give rise to the creation of such arrangements.

  “Some are time-specific and serve a particular purpose, others move along as perpetual arrangements,” he said.  “While certain public / private partnership arrangements as described in various settings and countries may lend greater clarity to this issue, there remain some issues and challenges associated with public / private partnerships that are more apparent with the progression of time and require longitudinal studies.”  

For many years, Deputy Prime Minister Davis pointed out, public / private partnerships, from a community-based perspective, were created most commonly in developed and developing countries to meet some of their populations’ basic needs, thereby addressing social gaps.  

“In the earliest stages of the evolution of this concept, it formed the basis for the creation of greater equality in societies, which subsequently translated into its advancement as a part of national development agenda,” he said.  

Deputy Prime Minister Davis said that, in reflecting on the history of The Bahamas, this trend is also evident.  

“Through the work of churches, quasi-government agencies and NGOs (non-government organisations), the social, health and education sectors have had the benefit of the delivery of a myriad of services through private investment in and services,” Deputy Prime Minister Davis said.  

As examples, Deputy Prime Minister Davis pointed out how churches along with private individuals have built primary and secondary schools, the National Insurance Board and private individuals have built health-care clinics and NGOs, civic groups – including Rotary – and other private entities have made “significant” contributions to the social welfare of the less fortunate in Bahamian communities.  

“These investments have all complemented and expanded access to the services that are offered by the Government,” Deputy Prime Minister Davis said.    

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