Corruption – and Cabinet changes

– Perception usually prevails

Even as I’ll eschew classic definitions of the term, I felt an urge to offer my “three-cents” bit on the issue of corruption, so current at this time.

Which government of a challenged society in the Third World would accept the judgments and conclusions of an international Watchdog organisation based in a relatively comfortable and developed European capital? Not many.

However, that Third World country’s international “status” with respect to its level of corruption, is best measured by its own citizens. Especially those individuals or groups who can manage to be fair-minded, objective, scientific and given to verifiable, evidential support for their charges. Just how many of that breed there are left in this place – whether in the media, the professions, the church or the police – is open to serious question. So many, even in the Private Sector, indeed have “agendas.”

I’ll comment on current official corrupt practices against fleeting glimpses of a political background. From opposing perspectives.

Six years on, after his government was ousted from power by the now well-known combination of forces, Cheddi Jagan was waging his relentless, albeit unsuccessful, battles against perceived corrupt practices by a now entrenched PNC regime which had abandoned its United Force facilitator. In the Republic year of 1970 Poor Cheddi was citing what he described as “Sharp Practices”, in Parliament. Read the indefatigable Cheddi, thirty-eight years ago.

“What I am concerned about in connection with this question of increased licence fees for trucks is the sharp tactics, the sharp practices in which the Government is indulging at the moment … most of the government work is being done by one trucking service – the Greenland Co-operative Trucking Service. Now, this company is sub-contracting to the other truckers and charging them a fee of two dollars per ton load”.

“Today, from all sources in Guyana, one hears that our country is sick; we are living in a sick society. The Archbishop of Guyana referred to the fact the other day where he said that with $5000 you can bribe anyone today and get anything done. Not only the Archbishop but others, the public are saying this because of these rackets which are patent…”

“Now Ministers of Government are taking over the land and the people fail … prices are too low … even when some of their own supporters fail to cultivate, the Ministers are taking over the land and using rice-farmers’ machinery … to cultivate the lands.”

In the House of Assembly in 1970 these Jagan allegations were usually met with derisive, dismissive heckling. Or stony, studied silence. Later in ’70 recounting the PNC’s electoral engineering, Cheddi was even more unparliamentary in his outrage: “They raised it! These rascals and I have a right to reply. They attacked other people for their own thievery which is going on today … no accounting is done in this country! The Archbishop of Guyana said you were thieving, the Director of Audit said that the government has no accounts to show, and therefore, the members of the Government want to push the blame on us…”

Sounds a bit familiar still? (You must read George Lamming on when Caribbean politicians get into office, not sure about how long that privilege will last).

PNC COMPUNCTION?

The People’s National Congress (PNC) really ruled supreme over this land for nearly three decades. When you’re in government that long, continuously, there are bound to be slippages of honesty, propriety, transparency and accountability. The PNC, Frankly Speaking, will never succeed in convincing Guyanese, especially those over sixty, and many citizens of the CARICOM, that it did not deny the majority their will. Rigged elections, will always be the legacy of that Party – whether perception or reality. That, to those cheated, will be cited as the PNC’s towering act of corruption. But I’m not using this piece to enumerate the longer list of allegations against it.

Rather, I want to point out  a little I learnt with respect to the PNC approach to corruption, even though I have misplaced the document I needed.

Heading the PNC’s Public Relations Unit during the 1985 Elections Campaign, (L.F.S Burnham had just passed on), I was actually pleased to assist in preparing a comprehensive series of Speakers Briefs as guidance for those on the campaign  hustings. The Briefs offered guidelines on Public Speaking, campaign speaking techniques, the PNC’s “positions” and election tactics and background info on the myriad of election – time political issues. A popular Brief dealt with “Corruption and irregular practices”. Yes, the Party felt constrained to respond to the electorate with respect to numerous charges of Party and Executive lawlessness and wrong-doing. (After all, it was elections time – even though “rigging” was still alleged).

Interestingly, the Brief categorized the types and levels of “corruption”. There was the elementary, pilfering, then irregular – meaning unlawful or in violation of laid-down regulations – practices, outright thievery, discrimination, favouritism, nepotism and yes, corruption. We then defined the various forms endemic corruption takes. (The Stabroek did similar in an editorial this Monday). My point is that the PNC actually addressed the matter of corruption, if even in a feeble attempt to “respond it away”.

Perception over reality

In both public communication and behavioural science, it is nearly a principle that perception – beliefs and attitudes carefully inculcated by people – becomes as powerful as reality – real facts, even truth. All the allegations, say over the past decade of this government’s sixteen, have fostered the perception that there are greedy perpetrators of corrupt practices amongst various levels of Ruling Party and Government. Ten (10) Dr Luncheons and his circumlocution cannot shake certain citizens’ beliefs. People sneer at the dormant, toothless “institutions” set up as oversight agencies. Much the same way as the Ombudsman under the PNC Administration had limited jurisdiction and real visible authority to penalize wrong-doers.

I leave it to Stabroek and the Opposition parties to enumerate the twenty or so major allegations of corruption under the PPP/C tenure so far. Except to say that I’m aware of some subtleties these days. You can’t prove a thing in court if a bidder wins a contract. Even when he purposely under-bid and is related to, or has powerful connections. I say, however, that it should not be considered political when current calls are made to publish a full list of contractors who were awarded public projects, costs, special abilities, lobbyists and so on.

Next time we can discuss campaign and goodwill contributions, “commissions,” offerings. Contractors are entitled to their favourite parties! Right?
Cabinet changes

Call it stability, consistency, security of tenure, or inability or reluctance, to attract new fresh minds. The PPP/C obviously does not believe in Cabinet Changes. Precious few since ’92. (Except after elections).

So why did this former PPP Top Gun tease me with “imminent Cabinet Changes?” He says we know of the new Housing Minister – Young Turk Ali. (“Why couldn’t they just step out of the box for a change?) What? A Minister who “resembles me (Fenty)” is going to Cuba! What!? Another politician/ambassador?

What? They’re troubling two of the better ones? Leslie? Henry. Away with your envious speculation! People really care not as those in-house Cabinet Changes never lowers the cost-of-living. My veteran PPP/C man then offered to “wager” me …
UNTIL …

1.)  Look, it’s too late to tell me of cheaper stages and lights for Carifesta 10. Tell the Bahamas!

2.) Schools must organize security at School Sports. Out-of-School vagabonds are targeting students.

3.) Coming next Friday: When Stabroek advised the President…

4.) They’re launching Mashramani 2009 at Umana Yana Today!
‘Til next week!

[allanafenty@yahoo.com)