Ramjattan suggests starting afresh in quest for accountability
SOME governments are failing to protect citizens from corruption, be it abuse of the public resources, bribery, or secretive decision-making.
This observation was made by Ms Zoe Reiter, Senior Programme Coordinator of Transparency International (TI), in a power-point presentation made at a seminar held in the Conference Room of the Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited at Robb Street and Avenue of the Republic in Georgetown.
The seminar was held under the theme “Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2011”, and was held Friday in observance of the United Nations-designated Anti-Corruption Day.   
Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI), which seeks to promote transparency and accountability and eradicate corruption here, hosted the seminar.
Participants at the forum included recently re-appointed Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh; Presidential Advisor Ms Gail Teixeira; Head of the Privatisation Unit, Winston Brassington; and Attorney-at-law and executive member of the opposition Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, among others.
Alluding to TI’s Corruption Perceptions Index released on December 1 last, Ms. Reiter said the report highlighted that corruption, which continues to plague many countries worldwide, is a non-partisan problem, and as such requires a non-partisan solution.  
Quoting Huguette Labelle, Chair of TI., who said: “This year, we have seen corruption on protestors’ banners, be they rich or poor; whether in a Europe hit by debt crisis or an Arab World starting a new political era, leaders must heed the demands for better government,” Reiter reminded her audience that TI had warned that protests around the world, often fuelled by corruption and economic instability, clearly show citizens feel their leaders and public institutions are neither transparent nor accountable enough.

Rating

And in explaining how countries are rated, which was among several queries sought and observations raised, the TI official said the index scores 183 countries and territories from zero (0) (highly corrupt) to 10 (very clean) based on perceived levels of public sector corruption.
The 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index measured the perceived levels of public sector corruption in 183 countries and territories around the world. The data used was drawn from 17 different surveys and assessments that looked at factors such as enforcement of anti-corruption laws, access to information, and conflicts of interest, she said. 
She further disclosed that two-thirds of ranked countries scored less than five on the Corruption Perceptions Index. As such, she cautioned against using a country’s score in one year as a comparative analysis to the country’s score in a previous year.
Corruption, as defined by the TI officials, is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. Ms Reiter noted that corruption can occur anywhere, and she classified it as grand or petty, depending on the amounts of money lost through the sector where it occurs, through embezzlement by staff, and by bribery. Corruption, she reiterated, is bad for business and for public policy, and can also be fatal.

Committed

Finance Minister Dr Singh, in his presentation, which preceded Reiter’s, said the Government of Guyana is firmly committed to transparency, and in pursuit of such has implemented, and continues to implement systems and procedures aimed at achieving transparency.
Among those already in place which have shown desirable results are the establishment of Parliamentary Sectorial Committees; Tender & Procurement Boards, where the government is only asked to offer its no-objection; expanding the independence of the Auditor General’s Office; and the passage of numerous legislative enactments in parliament. Acknowledging that while some measures may not have gone the way they were expected to go, Dr Singh gave assurance of the government’s commitment towards working to continue strengthening the various systems, so as to gain the desired results.
Dr Singh noted his concern at what appears to be a studied refusal by some sections of society, the social commentary included, to recognize or acknowledge any positive achievements by the government. He also expressed concern about `circulatory sources’, some of whom he noted have their own political agendas, and are not the best of resources from which to garner information.
On this note, mention was made of the World Bank, which Dr Singh described as being notorious for its use of inaccurate information supplied by local sources and surveys.
He pleaded for impartiality.
Ramjattan, whom the AFC had fielded as its presidential candidate at the just-concluded general and regional elections, in his brief contribution during the question-and-answer segment, opined that what is now required is a firm commitment from everyone to eradicate corruption. He suggested that the slate should be wiped clean and the country should start on a new page.
Among other contributors to the discussion were Ms Teixeira and Chartered Accountant/Social Commentator Mr Christopher Ram.
Chair of the seminar was Dr Thomas Singh, Director of TGI, while the opening and welcome remarks were made by Nadia Sagar, President/Director TGI.