UK envoy lauds Govt.’s approach to financial transparency, accountability

GUYANA - British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn says that since the coalition government took office, he is pleased with the measures taken to ensure financial transparency and accountability. He made this comment yesterday during an interview with this publication. Asked if there were other areas he believes that the government could improve on as it relates to transparency and accountability, the High Commissioner said he has not given any thought to that specific matter. “But I have said before that on the whole concept of transparency and accountability, everyone in every administration should be as transparent as they possibly can. Only on those issues relating to national security should there be any justification to not be transparent.” He reminded that this has been supported by President David Granger.

Since the APNU+AFC administration took office, a number of steps have been taken to put a dent in corruption. The Government established a State Asset Recovery Unit, which will soon become Guyana’s anti-corruption agency. It also made considerable moves to root out corruption and bribery in the forestry sector. This, however, was not without contributing effects on the declining production figures of the sector. There has also been the launch of over 40 forensic audits, so as to identify areas of abuses which took place under the previous administration and to ensure that measures are implemented to avoid repetition. After many years, the Government also succeeded in establishing the long awaited Public Procurement Commission. But be that as it may, the APNU+AFC administration continues to face harsh criticisms that it is not moving as swiftly as it should in the fight against corruption. However, the Alliance for Change (AFC) holds a different view. In fact, the party insists that in a period of 20 months, the coalition administration has been able to put a “significant dent” in corruption.

(kaieteurnews.com)