SARU isn’t about witch hunting

Jul 15, 2016 Editorial

Almost everyone in Guyana is aware that corruption has been rampant in this country, especially during the last 15 years when those in positions of authority thought that they could have used the state resources to benefit themselves, relatives and friends, without being punished.
That mindset changed in 2015 when the PPP administration was defeated and the new government launched forensic audits to investigate, charge, and if necessary, prosecute those found culpable of corrupt practices and theft of the state resources. But it was the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) that essentially came to the nation’s rescue when it discovered several irregularities in the distribution of the country’s prime ocean front lands by the former administration.
Many persons believe that the government should punish those who stole or mismanaged state assets as documented by SARU and the forensic audits. Both have provided solid evidence to successfully prosecute and convict those who were responsible for the skullduggery that took place under the last government.
The irregularities unearthed should alarm every Guyanese, irrespective of their party affiliations. SARU’s CEO has expressed alarm and deep concern at the high level of corruption, and how entrenched it was in the country and the lack of procedures to prevent it.
According to the CEO, SARU will spare no one and it will go wherever the evidence leads it. He said that he is not bothered by the PPP claim of “witch hunting” by SARU, which is mandated to investigate the wrongdoing.
While the government is taking steps to prosecute those found to have been allegedly involved in various financial transgressions, it should also correct the flaws in the system that caused them. It should pass stringent legislation to prevent public officials from taking bribes or using resources belonging to the state; issuing contracts to friends and relatives that can never be fulfilled and for which there are no penalties; or being able to transfer government vehicles in their names and those of their spouses and friends.
Every loophole must be closed, and the audit reports are a good place to start. The Auditor General’s Office must be empowered to conduct audits effectively on an annual basis on every state agency and department. This will surely make a difference in discouraging corrupt individuals and preventing the misuse and theft of state resources by public officials.
Unlike the previous administration, this government is cognizant that its reputation is at stake, and it must do everything in its power to put an end to wholesale dishonesty and theft. It must definitely reform the system to prevent such abuses from happening, but it will take some time.
The findings of the forensic audits and by SARU have exposed how corrupt many elements of the last government most likely were and the depth of the skullduggery that took place. They also paint a dark picture of corruption in Guyana, which is considered one of the more corrupt countries in the hemisphere.
The findings of the audits have reinforced the perception of corruption in Guyana and point to the need to strengthen all state-owned and statutory bodies in order to prevent lawlessness. The government has expressed its commitment to stamp out corruption and be transparent and accountable to the people.
There is simply no room for corruption in Guyana, but the government alone cannot stamp it out. Stamping out corruption can only be done if all right-thinking citizens take a united stance against it. It is not a witch hunt to investigate and prosecute those accused of wrongdoing. And despite what its detractors may conveniently say, SARU is not about witch hunting.

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