-but stymied by lack of funds, legal support
Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) continues to be vocal on a range of corruption issues hampering anti-corruption efforts and stymieing development in Guyana. But while the awareness that TIGI’s advocacy raises is immeasurable, in the absence of litigation, TIGI’s ability to effect change will remain in question, observers say.
This is especially in light of the fact that the coalition government continues to demonstrate a willingness to ignore criticism, and defy judicial decisions.
Recent subject matters of TIGI’s advocacy include compliance by public officers with the Integrity Commission Act, and an allegation that the award of petroleum exploration licences ought to have been put to tender pursuant to the Procurement Act, Cap 73:05 (Cap 73:05).
In an article published in the September 4 edition of Stabroek News, TIGI contended that every exploration licence awarded without public tender, including the exploration licence related to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement between ExxonMobil and the Government of Guyana is illegal.
Speaking to Stabroek News recently, TIGI President, Dr. Troy Thomas acknowledged his realisation of the need to add litigation to the organisation’s arsenal of advocacy tools. In line with this realisation, he said that TIGI has been seeking local and international partners since last year, but to no avail.
On the issue of the legality of the petroleum exploration licences awarded without being put to tender,