Introduction: Stabroek News has invited the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) to submit a weekly column on governance and related matters. Only APNU and the AFC have submitted a column this week.
Corruption — the abuse of public office for private gain — is recognised by economists as the worst enemy of national development. Any attempt at good governance must necessarily incorporate an intolerance for corrupt practices and other forms of illegal or questionable conduct. Corruption diverts public funds into private pockets, depriving citizens of much needed services. Corruption encourages crime, undermines public security, and it increases the cost of goods and services. A corrupt government is an ineffective government. The PPP regime has proven itself to be an institution entrenched in corrupt practices, shady deals, financial impropriety, and immoral conduct. The APNU-AFC coalition is determined to dismantle the corrupt institution which has hijacked Guyana, usurped our laws, overtaken our economy and impoverished our citizens.
Contrary to what the PPP would have us believe, it is possible for experts to measure corruption. Indian economist Ms Rohini Pande of Harvard University has studied corruption in developing countries. In 2012, she wrote: “Recent years have seen a remarkable expansion in economists’ ability to measure corruption.” Unfortunately, under the rule of the PPP, Guyana has been assessed as one of the world’s most corrupt countries. According to Transparency International (TI), Guyana scored an abysmal 28 points out of a possible 100, in TI’s last assessment of our Corruption Perceptions Index. This would come as no surprise to Guyanese, who are well aware of the prevalence of industrial-scale corruption that exists. Citizens know very well that contractors fill the pockets of officials with kickbacks. Guyanese are familiar with the results of these criminal activities. The parallel treasury that presently exists using proceeds belonging to the State agencies such as GGMC, NICIL, GFC, Lotto Funds, etc, as a mechanism of avoiding constitutional provisions relating to governmental appropriations, represents financial lawlessness which permits and facilitates corruption. Pradoville II is but an example of the flagrant and brazen disregard for acceptable governance practices and which provides an insight into the PPP’s tolerance for lawless and unethical standard of behaviour. Owing to corrupt practices, our roads deteriorate only weeks after being constructed, bridges and stellings collapse, school buildings fall apart. Citizens are put at risk of injury or worse. Because of corruption, our roads are congested by vehicles being operated by untrained, unsafe drivers. Firearm licences are sold to unsuitable applicants, and the list goes on. Corrupt activities affect every facet of life, and as such, it must be eliminated.
The APNU-AFC partnership will tackle corruption from its roots, all the way to the top of the government. Rogue police officers will be identified and dismissed, not transferred, as the PPP has done. Local government officials will be held accountable. Transparency and accountability will be an absolute requirement at the regional level. Government ministers will be required to declare their income and assets to a functioning Integrity Commission. Bribes, graft and kickbacks will not be tolerated. Public funds will be used only for the benefit of Guyanese citizens, instead of to enrich politicians, their families and their friends.
The partnership will fight corruption with the numerous tools already developed by renowned economists and other experts. Professor Benjamin Olken, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has said that to fight corruption we must determine three factors. We must ask, how prevalent is corruption, what are its costs, and what factors influence it? The APNU-AFC partnership will put systems in place to answer these questions within the local context, make recommendations accordingly, and implement strategies to root out this scourge, which the PPP has allowed to flourish, unchecked and unchallenged.
This scientific approach to the fight against corruption will be part of the partnership’s systematic approach to good and effective governance. Problems will be studied and appropriate solutions will be implemented.
No longer will Guyanese be subjected to an ad hoc, piecemeal approach to government. Citizens will be able to rest at night, knowing that their leaders are burning the midnight oil, working to solve the country’s numerous problems, instead of partying and engaging in drunken brawls.
Corruption is only one of the problems which the partnership must solve. But as a major challenge, and as an enormous stumbling block to good governance, the coalition has identified it as a priority, and will act quickly, systematically, and decisively against this scourge. The partnership will deliver clean, transparent and accountable government beginning May 12, 2015.
