Corruption deterring reputable foreign contractors - IDB tells Govt.

Corruption deterring reputable foreign contractors — IDB tells Govt.

Oct 11, 2017 News

There is a distinct possibility that Guyana may, within the next few years, become the economic hub of the Caribbean. However, it is possible that despite such lofty status, the country may still have a hard time getting reputable contractors to execute certain infrastructural developments. This will be the case if Guyana does not pull up its proverbial socks and really attack corruption and keep it at bay.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) recently told Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, that serious contractors have reservations of coming to work in Guyana because of the perception of corruption. Jordan revealed this at a press conference he held on Monday.
He said that he told a Senior Vice President of the IDB that Guyana has not been able to attract international contractors. “Her response was that she understood but we should be aware that Guyana is still looked upon as a very corrupt country. Those were her exact words. She said that these contractors, given their reputation, are very afraid of being tainted so they do not come.”
Jordan said that the problem is not only with attracting international contractors. He said that Guyana has even been making slow progress in attracting regional contractors.
“When you look at even regional contractors, outside of two from Trinidad and somebody out of Jamaica that is doing the West Coast Demerara Road, I do not know that we have been able to attract serious contractors.”
Jordan said that he cannot say, for sure, that it is the perception of corruption that is deterring the regional contractors, “But she did identify that when it comes to the international contractors, they may be afraid of Guyana because of the perception of corruption in the country.”
Jordan was keen not to take blame for the high perception of corruption in Guyana. He said that it is something that dates back to the time of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration.
“I do not believe that that perception was built over the last two years. It is one that we inherited in 2015 and we are working assiduously to remove that.”
Jordan said that the IDB has been seeing the efforts being made by the APNU+AFC administration to address corruption.
He said, “She did ask us to continue working on improving transparency and accountability. So in a back hand way, we did get some kudos for the work that we are doing to try to get rid of this whole business of corruption in Guyana.”

3 thoughts on “Corruption deterring reputable foreign contractors — IDB tells Govt.”

Kassem_B October 11, 2017 at 3:01 am

‘Corruption deterring reputable foreign contractors — IDB tells Govt.’
Who are these corrupt people?
The AFC executive is claiming to be un-corruptable
Queens College October 11, 2017 at 10:08 pm

I have to agree with the IDB observations. The US has designed its immigration policies to accommodate the brightest foreign minds and talent in order to be the world’s top innovator in technology and other fields. Guyana needs to mirror these policies in order for it to move forward and build its infrastructure in preparation of its future and to ultimately benefit its people. We have a tendency to naively accept the proposals from foreign governments and businesses (China, India, USA etc) who dazzle us with flashiness ;whom we readily welcome and grant huge rewards for projects that later either fail or we are depend ans held hostage because we don’t have the resources and/or talent to support The President recently visited the UN/NYC and stated that he no longer wants Guyana to have a :Barrel” economy and mentality, he further stated to the Guyanese Diaspora that he wants to welcome back that talent pool that left to seek better opportunities overseas. Well I wholeheartedly agree with him as well as many of my other colleagues. But the President needs to put actions behind his words, make provisions and establish policies and procedures to make the process more “friendlier and transparent”. I know of many of my colleagues, myself including’ who have left lucrative employment and returned to do as the President requested only to be faced with corruption, (“I want a top-up if you want access”) or a kickback if I grant you a contract, or if you refuse to participate in this unprofessional behaviour to branded as “overqualified”. This is the mentality that the administration has stamp out; and to privatize the processes in order to remove the endemic corruption that is prevalent in our government.

Concerned Guyanese
Arenagal October 12, 2017 at 11:52 pm

Let’s face it Guyana, you have a very negative stigma in most countries; biggest two are crime and corruption. Those are non-starters for most foreign investors. How do you change that preception? By cleaning house. The corruption is part of a systemic problem that the country has cultivated for decades. The problem with brutal criminals is due to young men who are uneducated, have no jobs, no skills and desperate for money, and they are willing to do any evil to get money.
How does one kill the elderly for their pension? I can’t fathom that. Who would have confidence to invest there, when your constant worry, is the fear of someone killing you for your money or possessions.