Accountability Watch

Last week, we reflected on the state of cricket in the 1970s when, weather permitting, we could have watched some 26 games being played in Georgetown on a weekend among the four levels of cricket.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is safe to say that among the several contentious issues that have bedeviled us in this House, few have been as vexed and contentious as the issue of cricket administration.

Before proceeding with today’s article, this column considers it unfortunate the way the present Administration has handled the matter concerning the leasing of the “Red House” to the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Inc.

It is legally, morally and ethically wrong to deny payments to suppliers or contractors who, in good faith, have supplied goods and services or have satisfactorily executed works… In the final analysis, it is the taxpaying public that must come to the rescue of meeting the financial obligations of the Project which, with careful planning, and a highest possible degree of competitiveness, transparency and accountability, would have resulted in significant cost savings.

In our article of 5 December 2016, we had indicated that we would discuss the Report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the country’s accounts for the years 2010-2011.

Readers will recall that two Mondays ago, the Minister of Finance presented to the National Assembly the 2017 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure in accordance with Article 218 of the Constitution.

One hopes that it will be a civilized one, and not one that degenerates into a ruckus or “fish market” scene.

Today is Budget Day. It is an important day since it is the first time in the history of Post-Independence Guyana, and perhaps earlier, that we are having a budget for the fiscal year before the beginning of the year begins.

In our view, missing in the Public Service is a culture embodying a set of core values and standards which are accepted and treated as sacrosanct to the extent that their breach would evoke responses of criticism and even condemnation of violators and insistence that the “right” thing be done.

Last week, we had stated that the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service, which was laid in the National Assembly on 24 May 2016, would have been debated by the Assembly.

We became aware of the dissatisfaction with the way the process is managed, the abandonment of the Selection Committee and the lack of transparency and fairness in the selection of awardees.

Two weeks ago, we carried out first article on the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service.

Every system of public accountability should embrace the following: (a) every act or action is done openly according to law and prudent judgment; (b) every actor is responsible for his or her action; (c) every act is documented and reported publicly; (d) every act or action is subject to independent, professional, non-partisan audit review and public reporting of the results; and (d) where the review shows that purposeful error has been made, prompt corrective action, including punishment where appropriate, is taken.   

Last week, we discussed the salary increases for public servants which we felt did not appear unreasonable, considering that public servants had received a 10% across-the-board increase with effect from 1 July 2015.

On 3 September 2012, we had carried an article entitled “State employees and the Public Service Commission” in which we bemoaned the fact that the then Administration was operating with two types of public service: the traditional public service; and a parallel service comprising hand-picked persons recruited on a contractual basis at emoluments and conditions of service superior to those of the tradition service.

Corporate governance broadly refers to the mechanisms, relations, and processes by which an organisation is controlled and directed.

I have no other interest, save and except my humble attempts to make a contribution towards protecting the interest of the State, and safeguarding public assets and resources.

I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won.

Lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, Whereto the climber upward turns his face.

There must be no compromise on integrity, no allowance for arrogance, no room for violation of mutual respect; there will be no sacrifice of our values on the altar of political expediency.