Corruption in high places, among friends

Jun 15, 2024 Editorial

Kaieteur News – One of the distinctive elements of this publication’s daily output over the years has been the relentless focus of corruption in Guyana. This has incurred the wrath of more than one government. Over the years, national leaders have never ceased in their efforts to disagree with allegations and reports of massive corruption. Leadership disagreement has been vicious, with little energy spared to go after corrupt players and the costly practices that have resulted. Like a cancer, corruption has infiltrated and then spread across Guyana, sickening the entire society. Now the US Department of the Treasury, through one of its most potent arms, the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) has blown the lid off the pretenses of the PPPC Government.

Three prominent Guyanese have been named in a damning array of activities that have one common thread. As released publicly by OFAC, it is corruption, with corruption in government business, and corrupt actions involving private parties. So far, other than “no comment” little else has been said by the two private individuals named. There are going to have to do a whole lot more than that terse two-word statement to clear the air, or mount whatever defense is possible in the circumstances to remove the taints against their names. We note that the OFAC release is so sweeping that many more in this country could be drawn into the vortex of what is now unfolding. Many names could be called, and if there is a professional and thorough local investigation, not just heads will roll but this could very well reach deep and high into the Guyana Government. Among the areas pinpointed are customs, gold trading and exports, foreign exchange operations (cambios), and government procurement, and with repeated references to “government officials.”

Relative to the government official fingered, there are few with more power than a Permanent Secretary (PS). They are the administrative and operational heads of large ministries, and often with considerable say in how taxpayer money is spent. The PPPC Government has reacted to the OFAC’s allegations with seeming vigor and determination, with the PS immediately sent on leave. It really didn’t have much choice. What follows next will reveal the genuineness of this government to get to the bottom of what is called a corruption network and dismantle it. The PPPC Government is faced with a dilemma, however. Some of its own high-level people have close links to all three of the Guyanese identified by OFAC. In both political and public service circles, there could be a bloodbath, with many ensnared, but only if there is a professional and credible investigation. The odds of that occurring are not too encouraging, when this government’s record is weighed. It has been found severely wanting and suspect in the past, and there is scant confidence that much will be different in this instance. There is simply too much at stake for an investigation that drills through all the layers and webs to be allowed the freest rein.

Being very skilled in the public relations game, the government is on record as calling for the US Government (OFAC and others) to share information on the three individuals that were spotlighted. The response of the US investigative authorities would indicate how much they are prepared to give to Guyana. The issue is one of trust, with fears by the US that intelligence and evidence disclosed could hamper its ongoing work here and reach into the hands of those named. We at this paper assert that such fears are reasonable and legitimate, for the local field of corruption is that fertile. This is the bleak state to which matters involving official corruption has deteriorated in Guyana. The ordinary Guyanese has a strong perception that corruption is strangling this country, but little else. US officials have warned in nuanced diplomatic language that there is a dire need for serious work to be initiated to address the damage of widespread corruption, which is evident in the OFAC release. The reality in Guyana is that there have been almost zero charges laid and prosecutions following for glaring breaches of the law when the friends and agents of the PPPC Government are involved. Interesting times are ahead.

corruption, Editorial, Government, National, publication

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Corruption in high places, among friends

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