Dear Editor,
After months of consultative and careful preparation by local minds and the input of international experts, the SARA (State Assets Recovery Agency) Bill found its way into the hallowed chambers of the Guyana Parliament on January 30 for tabling.
Behind the championing of this Bill are a group of resolute and dynamic gentlemen, namely Messrs Clive Y Thomas (Dr), Aubrey Retmeyer and Eric Phillips. Together with their respective legal and support teams these great nationalists have stood against the odds of numerous sceptics and hardline resistance from within and without to create this historic landmark for Guyana.
This achievement has tremendous significance for this country, especially on the international stage, where it is often viewed with suspicion as a semi-corrupt nation, deeply compromised and unwilling to frontally tackle graft and corruption.
Over the years, particularly the past 20 prior to 2015, there have been numerous complaints of stolen government property and the abuse, misuse and conversion of other state assets. The proceeds span a diverse and complex network, stretching even beyond this nation’s borders.
The SARA Bill seeks to integrate and empower the SARU (State Assets Recovery Unit) to trace and recover stolen or misappropriated state assets. It also seeks to set up a legislative mechanism that will deter and prevent such activities from taking place in future. Assets of the state include taxpayer-funded land and finance.
Every elected government in the world has a fiduciary duty to prudently manage, preserve and protect its state’s assets. Guyana is no exception, as the majority of citizens expect the government to ensure that there is accountability, fairness and equitable distribution of the nation’s resources.
In November 2009 at the Global Forum IV in Doha, Qatar, Mr Eric Holder, a former Attorney General of the United States, stated “[W]e must work together to ensure that corrupt officials do not retain the illicit proceeds of their corruption. There is no gentle way to say it: When kleptocrats loot their nations’ treasuries, steal natural resources, and embezzle development aid, they condemn their nations’ children to starvation and disease. In the face of this manifest injustice, asset recovery is a global imperative.”
Now that the SARA Bill has been tabled, we look forward with great anticipation for its successful passage in parliament within the coming weeks.
Yours faithfully,
Orette Cutting
