Latest update November 22nd, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Backer upturns PM’s “declaration” initiative

Jun 15, 2012 News

 

…forces House to call on President to duly establish Integrity Commission    

By Gary Eleazar

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is ready to submit its declaration of assets but only to a duly established Integrity Commission.
This was the intimation by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Deborah Backer, who reminded the House that at present there is no commission to declare to, and found the support of the Alliance for Change when one of its Members, Moses Nagamootoo, spoke to the issue of the Integrity Commission.
Backer and Nagamootoo were addressing the Motion put forward for debate by the Prime Minister seeking to “encourage” Members of Parliament to submit their annual declarations to the Integrity Commission.
Backer in turn submitted an amendment to the Prime Minister’s initiative which in turn called for the President to consult with the Leader of the Opposition and to take steps to “firstly establish the Integrity Commission.”
Backer, in speaking of the amendment she presented to the House, reminded of a letter from the Secretary of the Integrity Commission, “Amanda Jaisingh” and dated May 30, which indicated that there is no functioning Commission, Commissioners or a Chairman in place.
In relation to the requirements of the Integrity Act, Backer said that for it to have life it must have a Chairman, with Commissioners
“Would the Prime Minister be kind enough to share with the Guyanese public the name of the Chairman…You see PM, if there is no Commission, who are you to submit to?” Backer asked.
The Prime Minister as he presented his motion to the House spoke to Backer’s amendments and denied that “corruption has reached alarming levels with little or no effort to stem the tide.”
Hinds spoke of the intention of his motion and said that it was in no way draconian, but rather “calls on us to be true leaders in our country and put ourselves in conformity with the Integrity Law.”
Backer assured the House that as long as the Opposition Leader is requested to be consulted on the Integrity Commission and one is duly constituted, they (APNU’s members) will be first in line to submit their declarations.
Hinds had premised his motion on the fact that “We who are in public office, we hold positions of authority and in these positions the temptation will come to us…There will be the person that would come to us and put forward proposals for their benefit and for us to share in those benefits. We may be tempted to act when we should not.”
Nagamootoo called the motion a toothless poodle and reminded too that there is no commission in place to make submissions to. He said also that the Prime Minister’s motion serves only as a deflection from other issues currently dominating such as NICIL and NCN among others.
Nagamootoo told the Prime Minister that maybe he was barking in the wrong yard when it comes to integrity of Members of Parliament.
“No one can deny that every single child can observe the ostentatious lifestyle of many in public office…We can see the evidence of the Pradovilles and people are asking questions everywhere…Where have we lost the moral compass?” asked Nagamootoo.
He then pointed out that “minor and mini officials are involved in double dipping and triple dipping.”
He said that some Members of Parliament are holding several State portfolios and “are dipping and some people dip thrice in the State coffers.”
Nagamootoo spoke of mushrooming pools and mansions and the amassing of wealth for which there seem to be no questions asked.
Other speakers to the motion include, Gail Teixeira, Dr. Vindya Persaud and Reverend Kwame Gilbert who reminded of a military saying, “comply and then complain”.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Green Machine returns to RAN Sevens

Green Machine returns to RAN Sevens

Nov 22, 2024

-Guyana to face Canada today By Rawle Toney The Green Machine, Guyana’s national rugby team, is set to make its mark at this year’s Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens Championship, hosted at...
Read More
GASA snubs Delroy Tyrrell for World Championships

GASA snubs Delroy Tyrrell for World Championships

Nov 22, 2024

Cricket Australia appoints former West Indian Captain Carl Hooper as a Multicultural Ambassador

Cricket Australia appoints former West Indian...

Nov 22, 2024

GBA appoints International Technical Officer Elton Chase as Technical Director

GBA appoints International Technical Officer...

Nov 22, 2024

Warriors triumph but Royals lead standings

Warriors triumph but Royals lead standings

Nov 22, 2024

 D-Up Basketball Academy Training camp brings Hoop Dreams to Life with Region 3 Jamboree

 D-Up Basketball Academy Training camp brings...

Nov 21, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]