Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) yesterday added its voice to growing calls for a commission of inquiry as regards the disclosures by VICE News on suggestions that there is an organized system of bribery of officials of government at very high levels and systems to provide money-laundering services.
In a statement, the local anti-corruption group said “We do not know how such spectacular allegations could be allowed to fester for so long without action on the part of the government especially after both President (Irfaan) Ali and Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jadgeo were recorded as having agreed that an investigation was necessary”.
It said that “If alacrity was the hallmark of the VP’s response to the first allegations, we would have to say that foot-dragging and temporizing appear to have set in to dissipate whatever sense of urgency developed after the latest revelations.
“Given that it took (weeks) for another set of disclosures to be made by VICE News, the public will be wondering whether VICE News is waiting for a strategic moment in order to make yet another set of revelations”, the group stated.
TIGI added that there is one reason above all, when it comes to timing, that the government of Guyana needs to take into account in terms of advancing its transparency credentials.
“We are referring to Government’s shiny new anti-corruption framework. On Saturday 25th June last, the GOG launched the Guyana Anti-Corruption Framework to which TIGI was invited and participated. We were very impressed with the new thrust although we were concerned that there were no questions entertained.
We were impressed because much was made of the role of some 14 laws enacted or updated since 2003 to combat corruption including”, TIGI said.
It cited among these:
● The Audit Act No. 5 of 2004
● The Procurement Act, Cap 73:05, (2003)
● The Access to Information Act
● Anti-Money Laundering and
countering the Financing of
Terrorism (Amendment) Act
No. 1 of 2015.
TIGI said that the attendees were presented with a well-done booklet titled “Anti-Corruption Framework – Fact Sheet & Detailed Framework 2022.” It said that on page 20 under the caption “The initiatives and Innovative Work of Government” were four bullet points including “The establishment of the National Coordinating Committee on June 8, 2021 which includes 16 agencies, all involved in implementing oversight and anti-corruption regulatory responsibilities.”
Needless to say, TIGI said it was very encouraged that Government had at last seen the need to signal a new emphasis to the nation.
“Every day that passes with these VICE News reports dangling in the wind is a day in tension with Government’s stated anti-corruption aims”, TIGI asserted.
In its editorial of July 23rd, Stabroek News pointed out that President Ali has spoken twice about an investigation of the VICE News broadcasts but nothing has been initiated.
On July 11th at the opening of the National Toshaos Conference, the President said: “What is clear, there are some people there who are saying they are involved in such activities… if you look at the video and that definitely requires an investigation… And I’m hoping… the relevant security and relevant agencies are looking at this because it is clear that someone says they are involved”.
On July 13th, on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana to commemorate Canada Day, President Ali was asked again about an investigation at which point he said that his government will be going after investors who utilize “middlemen” to conduct their businesses in Guyana.
“I am saying this very clearly, to the public, to investors, there is absolutely no need to go through any middleman. There is absolutely no need to engage any lobbyist. There is absolutely no need for anyone coming to you. And we will have to deal with the situation because if you engage middlemen and lobbyists who want to claim that they have more than what they have, then you are also accountable and liable because it means you are prepared to engage in something illegal.
“So I am warning and this is something I have asked the Attorney General to look at. I want him to look at how we can strengthen the laws to deal with these types of people, not only the people who operate like that but also the people who engage them. There is absolutely no need for that,” President Ali said.
Stabroek News then asked the President whether an investigation was initiated to which he responded that he had already made a pronouncement on the matter and would not be revisiting it.
Pressed on whether he has asked the Commissioner of Police to launch a probe, the President then said “I said when I looked at the second airing of it [the extended video] there was somebody who self-confessed that they are involved in money laundering that is what I said. I said that is a self-confession and for the security to look at and I support any investigation.
“I am not going to direct the Police Commissioner. I said there is a self-confession, that somebody there said they are involved in something illegal and any security force would want to investigate that. Don’t ask me to direct anyone. I am a President that would never get involved in directing anyone. I have a constitutional responsibility to this country and Guyana and the media and everyone can rest assured that this President is going to work within the construct and constraint of the Constitution of Guyana.”
On July 13th, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn told Stabroek News that the allegations of corruption and money laundering involving Chinese nationals operating here made in the VICE News reports will be investigated.
“If they called for an investigation, an investigation would have to be done”, Benn stated.
Asked which agency will be tasked with the investigation, Benn said a discussion will have to be held before that decision is made. “We would have to discuss it to see which one is the most appropriate,” he said. More than a week has passed but no announcement has been made.
