‘No room for

-says former Jamai

Emphasising the importance of a system of public accountability and transparency, former Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller says that as the country prepares for general and regional elections next year, politicians must embrace these principles to create “trust” in government and in national institutions.

Simpson-Miller made the observation on Thursday night at the Marriott Hotel, in Georgetown, where she was the featured speaker at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI)’s 130th anniversary celebration and awards gala.

“Therefore, there is no room for corruption in government institutions. As an administration, we spared no effort in accountability in the government that I led. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, I think there are some lessons here that Guyana could learn to ensure that in the coming period of investment and large revenue inflows, your government implements the right mix of economic policy reforms, which will create lasting prosperity for the people of Guyana,” she emphasised.

But while the event saw a packed Marriott Ballroom, there were no government ministers or representatives and opposition parliamentarians to hear the former Jamaica Prime Minister’s advice.

However, former PPP/C government ministers Robert Persaud and Manniram Prashad and former parliamentarian Charles Ramson Jr were in attendance.

In the face of calls by sections of the local business community for a review of Guyana’s participation in the Caribbean