TOO LAID-BACK

Jun 13, 2016 Editorial

The alleged accusations of massive corruption by some in the previous government represent an emotive issue that has triggered anger and revulsion among the people. Such reaction suggests that the people feel cheated and disappointed by such immoral and fraudulent conduct. Though not proven legally as yet, such allegations have tainted the reputations of some politicians for life as well as the reputation of the country as one of the most corrupt in the hemisphere. It has left a bad taste with the people who have formed sufficiently strong opinions that those deemed culpable of corruption in the forensic audit reports should have been charged. But the government seems powerless and too laid-back to charge anyone, despite statements by the leader of the opposition to do so.
Corruption was a hot issue in the 2015 general election campaign that contributed to the defeat of the PPP and the election to office of the APNU+AFC Coalition government on May 11, 2011. Corruption was indeed considered the turning point in that election which sealed the voters’ perceptions that the former administration was corrupt and dishonest.
Upon taking office, the coalition government promised a new beginning with good governance, greater accountability and transparency and a commitment to the highest level of integrity. Needless to say, these are serious issues and their lack thereof has the potential to undermine and contaminate democracy over the long term. The people were told that cabinet ministers would sign a code of conduct on taking office and that a Freedom of Information Act to open up government records to public scrutiny would be introduced as matters of urgency.
After a year in office, these promises remained unfulfilled without any satisfactory explanation to the people, except for the fact that the government has been crawling at a snail’s pace. This kind of incrementalism approach is surely not an effective way to govern the nation. And, as if to prove right the old saying that “what goes around comes around,” the government ironically find itself at the receiving end of some scandals allegedly blamed on a Minister.
Whenever politicians fail to keep their promises, they do the country a great disservice by sowing seeds of public distrust and cynicism. Frequent comments in everyday discourse show that an increasing number of Guyanese hold the view that politicians seek office not so much to serve the people, as was the case in bygone years, but more so to see how much they can get.This perception of politicians as self-servinghas contributed to a loss of public confidence and a significant decline in their public standing over the years.
The government should know that the solution to stem corruption and the recent allegationsof scandals/corruption is through the implementation of an effective system of transparency and accountability. Today, much of the affairs of Government are transacted in an environment of secrecy. The fact that ministers have constantly been the main targets of criticism, it makes a lot of sense for them, upon taking office to publicly declare their assets to a public body, such as an Integrity Commission, so that the information can serve as a reference point for assessing any suspicious changes in their finances during their tenure in office.
The government sought office for the noble cause of representing the people’s interest and to improving the public good, therefore it should have no difficulty with such requirement. Further, if the ruling elite is serious about addressing the corruption/scandals allegations currently swirling around the government, they should abide by the rules of the Integrity Commission and fulfil their promises to the people. Failing to do so is like treating them as a tradeable commodity, which is immoral and could have political consequences.
At a time when things seem to be going wrong for the government, this is a golden opportunity for it to redeem itself and leave a favorable legacy by formalizing high moral standards of conduct forthose holding public office. Being too laid-back will not do it.

1 thoughts on “TOO LAID-BACK”

Devil's advocate June 13, 2016 at 8:13 pm

“ditto!”
Some things are better left unchallenged; but not these CORRUPTION things. If the statute of limitation does not apply here we must expend resources to train/retain foreign prosecution to make examples of the meaning of ‘corruption’. As much as is desired of our judicial process, we must make meaning of the current affairs of our southern neighbour and its leadership. A SLAP ON THE WRIST WILL NOT DO IT.