New Integrity Commission must act with independence

Reference is made to your editorial, “New Integrity Commission” (Jun 6). As asserted, it is long overdue. For over fifteen months under this administration, there has been no oversight of government officials while violations of integrity in public life were rampant. Sex scandals and contract violations have not been investigated. Also, only a third of officials have reported their finances and assets. The ruling party, when in opposition, accused the coalition of all kinds of integrity violations and lack of accountability. But public behaviour of government officials and governance have not been much different since August 2020 than the preceding five years or two decades earlier. As we read in your paper and other outlets, there was hardly any transparency in giving out contracts. And it has been this way for the last two decades.

Over the last year, since the flood of 2021, there has been an increasing disquiet about public concerns of corruption. Those not deserving of compensation were richly rewarded. Since November 2020, instances of corruption have occurred under government discretion and direction. There are multi-billion dollar public grant spending since November 2020 with very little auditing and accountability. Contemporary corrupt political behaviour and culture has had an impact on Guyana’s international anti-corruption standing and transparency ranking. Guyana is ranked number 65 out of 165 countries. The Commission must settle in quickly and begin its job of investigating complaints of wrong doings by officials. The Integrity commissions was established to promote integrity and accountability of officials who serve the public – Ministers, Chairs, Directors of agencies, CEOs, political appointees in Ministries, among others.

As the editorial pointed out, the commission’s role is oversight and to investigate and expose corruption in public administration to deter acts of corruption. Has it done an effective job? The commission historically has been very weak to carry out its mandate – starved of resources as the editorial pointed out – and since the appointees were/are political, they tend to carry out the instruction of the political bosses (those who make the appointments). The Integrity

Commission has been weakened over the last several years. No one has been brought to account; no one reprimanded much less prosecuted for egregious violations of the Integrity Act. There has been a deficit of public trust in government, worse now that under the preceding administration.

There have been no corruption investigations by the commission – not one successfully prosecuted for fraud. Specifically with regards to the commission, rarely, had a commissioner acted independently or took any precedent setting action. Reading in the media, there have been so many ethical and moral violations, if not also legal, by officials across several ministries. It is hoped that this new commission will act with independence and that it will carry out its oversight responsibilities without fear or favour. The foreign diplomats of the ABCE countries should also speak out publicly against corruption. This will give courage to the commission to do its job without fear or favour. The commission won’t be silent if the diplomats speak openly.