Accountability Watch

Following the United States Government’s imposition of sanctions for corrupt behaviour against three prominent individuals and entities associated with two of them, we note the Authorities’ recent actions.

Last week, we began to highlight Justice Sandil Kissoon’s ruling on the industrial action taken by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) following the breakdown of talks between the Union and the Government over increases in the salaries of teachers.

Last week, on the occasion of World Environment Day, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated that countries must confront not just the fossil-fuel industry, but also companies that support efforts to obstruct climate action.

In this our third and final article on the subject, we revisit the key findings and recommendations of the 2015 Commission of Inquiry into the Guyana Public Service.

In last week’s article, we began a discussion about the need to have in place a politically neutral and professional Public Service that serves the interest of the country.

Two recent editorials in the Stabroek News under the following captions caught our attention: “Binary worldview” and “Permanent secretaries” published on 12 May 2024 and 13 May 2024, respectively.

Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only as first it resides in the souls of the citizens.

Last Thursday, the Stabroek News carried an article under the caption “Trinidad AG to Auditor General: I won’t be intimidated by threats”, caught our attention.

In last week’s article, we began a discussion of the Public Procurement Commission’s (PPC) summary report on the award of the contract to Tepui Group in the sum of $865.5 million for the construction of a sluice and pump station at Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara.

In our article of 9 October 2023, we discussed the award of the contract for the construction of a sluice pump station at Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara, to Tepui Group Inc.

 In our last three columns, we discussed the contents of the audit report on Exxon’s post contract costs for 2018-2020.

Before proceeding with today’s article, we would like to offer some brief comments on a letter published in last Saturday’s issue of the Stabroek News.

In last week’s article, we began a discussion of the audit report on Exxon’s post-contract costs covering the period 2018-2020.

Before proceeding with today’s article, we refer the response by Guyana’s Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance to a question posed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

Last year, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) suspended Guyana from its membership because of the delay in compiling and publishing its 2020 annual report.

In our article of 5 February 2024, we began a discussion on  the various anti-corruption measures implemented by the Guyanese authorities over the years and what may have been reasons for Guyana continuing to score poorly on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. 

This is our fourth article on the above subject. So far, we have discussed several initiatives taken over the years to improve public financial management, especially in relation to ensuring greater transparency and public accountability.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty last Wednesday of illegal campaign financing in relation to his failed 2012 re-election bid.

In our article of 9 October 2023, we had stated that the award of the contract for the construction of sluice and pump station at Belle View, West Bank Demerara, violated the Procurement Act for two main reasons, the contractor’s lack of the requisite experience in undertaking works of this nature as stipulated in the bid documents; and the contractor’s bid was the third lowest responsive bid.

THE DECLARATION AGAINST CORRUPTION I will not pay bribes. I will not seek bribes.