Prime Minister Gaston Browne has assured the public that the Freedom of Information (FOI) Secretariat will be operational within 60 days, addressing concerns raised in Parliament about the lack of a physical office for the Information Commissioner. During a recent parliamentary session, Browne revealed that the Attorney General has informed him that the physical premises for the Secretariat are still under preparation but are expected to be ready soon. Despite the absence of a dedicated office, Browne emphasized that the FOI system remains functional, with the Information Commissioner actively handling public requests. ‘You and others have written to the Information Commissioner and would have gotten information,’ Browne stated, underscoring that the Secretariat’s operations have not been halted by the ongoing repairs. The Prime Minister’s announcement follows criticism from an opposition MP, who highlighted that the government had previously promised the office would open within a month in May, a deadline that has now been extended. Browne defended the delay, stating that he was merely relaying the Attorney General’s timeline and is not directly involved in the construction process. The discussion also touched on the Integrity in Public Life Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act, with Browne asserting that all three laws are in force and being implemented. He noted that a secretary has been appointed to the Integrity Commission to ensure public officials comply with declaration requirements, dismissing claims of any deliberate policy to hinder the functioning of these governance laws. ‘The laws are functional—it’s just that they have not been utilized,’ Browne concluded.