Corruption must be an issue

THE EDITOR: The group Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) believes that corruption should be a major issue in this year’s Local Government Elections in Trinidad and Tobago. The time has come for us to change people’s perception that most politicians are dishonest and corrupt.

If a candidate is known to be involved in corruption, he or she should not be allowed to represent his/her community. Public officers must be accountable to the people and should face the full brunt of the law if they are involved in corrupt practices. We must have more honesty and integrity from citizens if we wish to move forward in the new millennium. The fight against corruption must be a priority because it’s spreading at an alarming rate in every sector of our society. Even the present kidnappings are part of the corruption because people want to make huge sums of money instantly without working for it. Employers who pay way below the minimum wage and who collect National Insurance contributions from their workers, but fail to forward these deductions to the National Insurance Board are also part of the corruption. Some of our officials in our schools, churches, community councils and the public sector are totally against transparency and accountability because they are engaged in corrupt practices. My colleagues and I wish to warn that the country and its people are going to suffer tremendously in the future if corruption continues at the present rate. We therefore, must fight corruption by demanding the highest standards from our citizens. Those who steal the nation’s wealth must be brought to justice.

HARRACK BALRAMSINGH
President CBTT
La Romaine