COMMENTARY -Today marks two months since Prime Minister Eke was sworn into office on January 23.
As the new administration settles in, Kaniva News takes a closer look at the government’s progress so far, assessing its achievements against the promises made during the election campaign.
This commentary offers a preliminary evaluation of the government’s performance, focusing on tangible outcomes and their impact on the people of Tonga.
While it is still early in the administration’s term, this assessment aims to provide an objective perspective on whether the Eke government is delivering on its commitments.
Transparency and Accountability Promises:
From the very beginning, Prime Minister Eke declared that his government would prioritize the people. He emphasized transparency and accountability as the cornerstones of this commitment, pledging that he and his ministers would remain accessible to the media for questioning. PM Eke’s commitment to transparency and accountability was highlighted during his campaign, where he pledged to champion a law protecting whistle-blowers.
Fact-Checking Transparency and Accountability
Kaniva News has fact-checked Prime Minister Eke’s commitment to transparency and accountability and found it to be working and highly effective. Since taking office, Prime Minister Eke has consistently addressed questions from Kaniva News, demonstrating a strong willingness to engage with the media.
It is understood that he has extended the same level of responsiveness to other media outlets, further reinforcing his commitment to transparency and open communication. When questions fell outside his jurisdiction, he promptly directed them to the relevant ministers and their portfolios. Additionally, his government has upheld its promise of holding weekly press conferences, which have been broadcast live online.
However, he has yet to provide the public with an update on his whistleblower protection policy. Such a bill is understood to have to go through the parliamentary process, which is currently in recess.
These actions underscore strong leadership, fulfilling campaign promises and respecting the media’s role as a bridge between the government and the public. These measures reflect a genuine commitment to transparency and accountability, creating a platform that fosters live and active dialogue between the government and the people. The government is promoting openness and public participation by engaging with the media and enabling the public to watch these interactions live.
Review of Government Performance Promises
Before its appointment, the Eke government pledged to review the performance of all ministries, departments, and boards of directors to assess their current status and identify areas for improvement. It also committed to addressing previous allegations and accusations against some of these entities to ensure accountability and resolution.
Fact-Checking the Review Promises
Kaniva News has verified the government’s progress on these promises and found them to be effectively implemented. In February, the Eke government announced the cessation of the long-standing questionable policy, allowing Cabinet Ministers to handpick members of various government boards. Instead, these positions are now open to the public, with applicants to be assessed by the Public Service Commission.
This policy has been widely criticized for contributing to the failures of several public enterprises. Critics argue that Cabinet ministers often selected board members based on personal friendships and close relationships, rather than their ability to contribute effectively to the goals and purposes of those boards. This practice has raised concerns about mismanagement and a lack of accountability within key government entities.
Additionally, the government revoked a previous decision by the former administration that allowed automatic extensions for board members of public enterprises, with this policy officially ending on March 15. An ongoing review is currently being conducted for several government entities, including the controversial Lulutai Airlines. As part of this process, the government terminated the employment of Lulutai’s CEO and appointed an interim CEO to assist with the review.
These actions demonstrate strong leadership and a genuine commitment to reforming long-standing issues, such as the practice of Cabinet-appointed board members. They also underscore the administration’s commitment to addressing issues within key public enterprises and ensuring accountability.
The Eke government delivers on its promises and fosters inclusivity by addressing outdated policies. Through these reforms, the administration creates opportunities for individuals with better qualifications and talents to contribute meaningfully to public services.
Next installment
While the Eke government’s fulfillment of these two promises has been fact-checked and deemed successful, earning it a reputation as an effective and capable administration, there are areas of weakness that warrant discussion. Specifically, the government’s approach to transparency and accountability through media engagement could be improved. Kaniva News believes there is a more sustainable and impactful way to implement this policy, ensuring its long-term benefits.
As this column is part of an ongoing series to evaluate the government’s performance, we will explore this issue in greater detail in our next installment.
