Sluggish Integrity Commission filers

May 31, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

Hard Truths by GHK LALL

(Kaieteur News) – It is a big number, those 231 Guyanese public officials who failed to file the required declaration of their assets before the Integrity Commission. The men and women whose names have been published by the Commission cover many spaces, high places. They are not local riffraff, but hold some very prominent offices. It is troubling that so much is said about respect for the Guyana Constitution, yet there are those who should know better, be first in line to declare their assets, but whose names are the Commission’s list for reportedly not doing so.

The names alarm. Some immediately caught the eye, slammed like a bad migraine. Included are former Opposition Leader, Mr. Aubrey Norton, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Roxanne, former chancellor (ag), Carl Singh. Following them in close formation are 10 magistrates, 6 high-ranking public servants, 5 MPs, 4 former deans of the University of Guyana, and two diplomats. I stop there. Took sleeping pill. Had enough. I implore these fine Guyanese, all 231, to say that it’s not so; that the Commission erred; that they forgot; that emergencies prevented timely filing. There’s a problem. Their problem is my problem; well, at least, I make it mine. It is almost a year later, minus a few weeks, since the period for which their asset reports passed. Fault or flimflam? They now have another three weeks to file, courtesy of the Commission.

Frankly, I think the Commission is being too lenient. If any of the names published did not declare, then the time for excuses, apologies and submissions has long expired. Examples must be set, standards maintained. Remember that favourite saying in high political and educational circles in this country, which is certain to be a mainstay in the See of the judiciary. There are no sacred cows. If there are such untouchables, my preference is not to be anywhere near that pasture. For the record, I have had interaction with a handful of the 231. They impressed as different people: clean hands, clear heads, and comprehensive eyesight. Summary: they can see the straight path and they know how to navigate it. Not one of them struck me as the type that would be slow to act when timely declaration of assets is involved. I hope I am wrong, would like to give all 231 allegedly slothful Guyanese the benefit of the doubt. It would comfort to know that they were not handicapped by too much weight that made them tentative. From the world of horseraces and racetracks, I share this little piece of turf wisdom. Many a thoroughbred that had to labour (run) with too much weight (as handicapped) ended up outside the winner’s circle. Just a piece of horse sense for everyone. Whether their names are on the Commission’s list or not, it doesn’t matter.

On another note, it would be interesting if any of these Guyanese were encumbered by difficulties that would make a cost-of-living hurting Guyanese drool with envy, his heart pound with anger. That is, some in the Commission’s batch of 231 for its 2024-25 Hall of Fame, have so many assets that they just can’t compile them quickly and efficiently enough to facilitate the timely handing over of their papers to the watchdog. Though such circumstances are alien to me, I can understand. First, the paperwork involved; putting the countless pieces together, and delivering the most complete picture to the Commission. Which Guyanese would want to be caught napping by hustling to deliver their declarations on time, only to discover later that they left out a few assets, because they were so many? Why risk stirring up unending speculations (the unfriendliest kinds), especially if much market value is involved? Could it be they have so little to report, that they sat on their hands.

Anyhow, now that the Integrity Commission has broadcast, the spotlight is on those 231 names that are part of Guyana’s Who’s Who Registry, its nobility, its aristocracy, and its landed gentry thrown in for flavour. For those interested, I have nothing to report.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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GHK Lall, Guyanese public officials, Integrity Commission

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