Corruption by another name

Oct 28, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor

The main reason why Granger gave a 50% pay hike to parliamentarians two months into government, was to avoid them getting into the practice of engaging themselves in acts of corruption. He justified the pay rise almost immediately, that is, he instituted that policy as a means of wiping out government employees from the inclination to take bribes or in simplified language, starve the propensity to be corrupt.

So, were we to witness a lean and clean government or were we at the beginning of corruption under a new name? Well, throughout the 5 years 5 months of The PNC we saw the manifestation of opposites, that is, government saying fanciful things, while the official status of his government was stuck in another corrupt mode. Not a single project was completed, yet millions drifted into personal accounts to buy expensive gold bangles for his minister.

We are talking about “gifts,” very expensive gifts, in addition, wasn’t this the reason Jordan gave for the $18M US ExxonMobil Signing Bonus? He claims that those monies were gifts given to him by the Oil Company for his party’s “Good Life work” for this country; gifts and more gifts flowing into private hands. The true whereabouts of that signing bonus is yet to be deciphered

Then, there was The BK International deal entered into by Granger’s Government to gift back to a friend who was very generous to his party during its campaign days, if this is not corruption, then what is? There is also mention of two well-known newspapers that are exempt from the payment of taxes, which is another glaring example of deals made in the interest of friends and associates.

Therefore, the recent unearthing of millions being poured into the accounts of a public officer coming under the guise of “wedding gifts,” speaks directly to the active demonstration of corruption. Whether these were actual gifts to a public officer for his good deeds to his partner in business, it does not speak well on his behalf. Because, and as The VP said, when a public officer becomes tied to a financial deal, this makes his position henceforth vulnerable to all forms of corrupt practices, every avenue he enters into becomes suspect.

I therefore conclude, that the role of The Integrity Commission is undermined by such actions of public officials. It reveals to the public ascribe that these guys do not report to the commission, they are terrified by the fact that they would have to account for their “earnings.” Is this another reason for PNC Parliamentarians (In particular) failure to submit to The Integrity Commission? Now, that they are in the opposition, the same behaviour is observed. Can we conclude that they have something to hide?

Respectfully Submitted
Neil Adams

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employees, ExxonMobil, Good Life work, Government, Signing Bonus

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