Transparency encourages public discourse [1]
Monday, November 23, 2009 - 09:30. Updated on Monday, December 16, 2013 - 22:32.
Editor,
'Akau'ola wishes to get his cake and eat it, too: He likes endless publicity about himself, but he does not want questions from the media about what he's doing (in public service) at the expense of the public.
He begs to privatize discussions on public issues (Get Real, 22 Nov 2009), and "let's do it properly and not through the political realm of the media." Does Mr. 'Akau'ola think everyone is a "villiage idiot?"
Mr. 'Akau'ola seems to forget that Government needs to be transparent, and the media is where the public trust is tested. Working in secrecy is the tool of corruption. The public wants "transparency" in all works conducted in their interest to educate them, and encourage public discourse.
Renewable energy is everyone's wish, but a "road map" to nowhere wastes public funds, time, and valuable resources. The public simply wants to know if Mr. 'Akau'ola had picked the right and correct road for them to follow.
Mr. 'Akau'ola must tell the public what "American company" he has contracted to start sea-water conversion to produce renewable hydrogen energy. Is the contract the beginning of the renewable hydrogen energy program (to start production in March, 2010), or is it simply the beginning of a 5 to 10-year study?
Sione A. Mokofisi