The new information commissioner has hailed a successful “first step” in the implementation of the Public Access to Information Act.

Gitanjali Gutierrez announced today that public authorities have upheld their responsibility to provide PATI information statements for the public.

One of the first requirements that the Act called for public authorities to provide a detailed information statement describing the authority’s functions, powers, duties, organizational structure, services, programmes, types of records held, manuals and decision making documents.

The statements also provide the name and contact details for the information officer of each public authority, who is the person responsible for receiving requests and assisting requesters.

“The information statements reflect a tremendous amount of work by public authorities,” said Ms Gutierrez.

“Overall, the obligations under the PATI Act are being taken very seriously. This first step is a good indicator of the public authorities’ commitment to the effective implementation of the PATI Act.

“The information statements themselves give the public a lot details about how Ministries, departments, boards, councils and other public authorities operate and make decisions. Much of this information has not been available to the public before.

“Today, the ready access to this information is a concrete example of how the PATI Act promotes transparency and good governance.

“When people look at these statements, the PATI Act will go from being an idea to being something real.”

The information statements are available on the Information Commissioner’s Office website www.ico.bm and www.bermuda.io.