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Corruption still plagues Guyana
Dear Editor,
Transparency International has released its latest report on rankings of countries on its Corruption Index. Guyana continues to score low on the corruption and transparency index, which is not a positive indicator for those interested in doing business in Guyana.
With the emerging oil and gas economy, the issue of corruption has assumed even much greater significance given the projected revenues that could be generated therefrom.
It is therefore important for transparency and accountability agencies, more particularly the Office of the Auditor General, to be strengthened to ensure a higher degree of effectiveness in its ability to monitor oil and oil-related transactions.
Money has the potential to corrupt and with the influx of oil monies, the potential for corrupt transactions is likely to be greatly enhanced.
Any loss of revenue because of corruption will rob us of what rightly belonged to us as citizens. We talk of the risks associated with oil such as the so-called ‘Dutch Disease’ but the ‘corruption’ disease can be no less debilitating if left unchecked.
In this regard, capacity building and institutional strengthening of the Office of the Auditor General must be given top priority by policy makers if they are genuinely concerned about accountability and transparency.
In addition, the other ‘watchdog’ agencies such as the Integrity Commission and Transparency International should be provided with adequate resources to facilitate their respective mandates. The penalties for those found guilty of corruption should be applied to the maximum and with the full force of the law.
Corruption is a cancer that must be eradicated if the country and its people are to optimally benefit from the resources that we are so richly blessed with. It is a shame that we continue to remain poor despite our riches.
We need to change our image as a country that is ranked among nations that score poorly on the corruption index. With the political will and a zero tolerance approach to corruption by us all, I am certain better can be done.
Hydar Ally
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