Guyana in breach of anti-corruption conventions – TIGI

Because Guyana is without a duly constituted Integrity Commission, the country is in violation of two anti-corruption conventions, says President of Transparency International Guyana Inc. Anand Goolsarran.

Anand Goolsarran, President of TIGI

The two conventions Goolsarran speaks of are the Inter American Convention Against Corruption and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which Guyana is a signatory.
According to Goolsarran, the Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) calls on the authorities to urgently address the issue of having a duly constituted Integrity Commission comprising independent and technically and professionally competent officials to administer the requirements of the Integrity Commission Act.
“Any lesser arrangement would be a sad reflection of our commitment to root out corruption wherever it exists. It is important to note that corruption tends to benefit the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor and vulnerable, the unemployed youth; and the disadvantaged women and children. Say no to corruption. It hurts us all,” he emphasized.
Providing a background into this matter, Goolsarran said the Integrity Commission Act was passed in 1997 to provide for the establishment of an Integrity Commission for the purpose of securing the integrity of persons in public life.
“It is one of the three main pillars in our fight against corruption, the other two being the Public Procurement Commission and the Anti-Money Laundering legislation. All three have run into problems,” he said.
He said it is unfortunate that no Integrity Commission has been in place since the resignation of Bishop Randolph George as Chairman in April 2006, following the re-appointment of the Commissioners without the consultation of the Opposition Leader, as required by the Integrity Commission Act.
The appointments prompted a Court challenge, and it is regrettable that the matter is still pending in the Courts. Since the resignation of Bishop George, there has been no sitting of the Commission for want of a quorum, Goolsarran stressed.
He said that some Members of Parliament have argued that since the re-appointment of the Commissioners was illegal, they would not be filing their annual declarations of income, and assets and liabilities. They prefer to await the outcome of the matter before the Courts.
He said in the absence of a duly constituted Integrity Commission, there is neither mechanism to ensure full compliance with the Integrity Commission Act nor is there scrutiny and investigation of the returns of those officials who have chosen to submit their returns.
“It is public knowledge that several public officials are flaunting what appears to be unexplained wealth with impunity. The annual declarations of income, and assets and liabilities of Cabinet members, Ministers of the Government, Members of Parliament, and senior public officials; and their scrutiny and investigation, are indispensable in any fight against corruption and in instilling public confidence and trust in those who are required to administer the affairs of the State on behalf of the citizens.”