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CORRUPTION WITHOUT PARALLEL

Dec 16, 2015 Editorial, Features / Columnists

When it seems that this country has finally plumbed that last unthinkable depth in its political life, another pit yawns, plunging it into much greater distress and moving it closer to self-inflicted destruction.
Guyana has had more than its share of corruption during the last fifteen years; it cannot withstand anymore. If the new government is committed to wiping out corruption and continuing to have the confidence of the people, it must move swiftly.
For instance, the current issue allegedly involving senior personnel at GPL, real or perceived, is particularly troubling for a government which prides itself on accountability, transparency and good governance. President Granger once said that corruption in its various forms is a serious threat to the country’s social order and the rule of law, in that it inhibits the ability of the state to effectively discharge its responsibilities and obligations to the people, and all institutions are affected by it.
This admonition could not have been more perfectly timed, given the myriad corrupt practices of the former administrations during the last fifteen years, as revealed in the audit reports. This level of corruption has no parallel in the country’s history. It was the misuse, abuse and misappropriation of state funds by public officials without a conscience.
How can Guyana progress with this cloud hanging over it? How can the rule of law be upheld when corruption remains rampant among those from the previous administration who are still in office? Until the government makes a concerted effort to replace any shady characters from the former administration, the best efforts of the people will fail to yield results, and the most elaborate social and economic development plans will amount to naught.
Can this government redeem itself and file charges against those culpable of corruption based on the findings of the audits, or will its promise to stamp out corruption have no bearing? The citizens should, in the name of truth and justice, demand that charges be laid against those who allegedly stole the taxpayers’ money.
If, on the other hand, the charges are found to be baseless and of malicious intent, they must be equally abhorred, and the good name of the maligned persons must be publicly restored. Issues concerning the truth and decency of individuals cannot be left to speculation and rumour-mongering. Attempts to tarnish the character of innocent citizens, regardless of their political affiliation, should not be tolerated. All must exercise individual and collective responsibility and the intellectual mindset they want their children to embrace.
Some wise person once said that children are “copy cats” and they live what they learn. If that is true, then whenever children see tangible proof that the actions and words of their parents and leaders are moral, they are likely to demonstrate the same in the course of their lives? But when they see truth and justice being pilloried in the name of political ambition, they will do the same. And when they see women being disrespected and ridiculed by men, they would tend to believe that violence against women will become even more endemic.
Whenever they see persons are being ridiculed because they are the targets of personal or political vendettas, they will distrust the wisdom of those to whom they look for guidance; spiritual and moral direction. If the new government earnestly desires to prosecute those allegedly accused of corrupt practices, it must do so urgently or else many would believe that it is not serious and that its bark is bigger than its bite.

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