TT falls in corruption rating

This country’s CPI rating declined from 4.2 out of ten in 2004 to 3.8 out of ten this year. TT’s CPI rating has been declining steadily since 2001, when it stood at 5.3 out of ten. Countries scoring closer to ten give the perception that corruption occurring in that nation is less.

However, Reid explained that while the 2005 CPI results may suggest that TT is one of 70 nations in which there is still rampant corruption, this country’s overall international standing, as far as perceived corruption goes, has not changed over the last five years. "Although our score has been dropping, our relative position on the list of countries surveyed has been roughly the same each year. About one-third from the top," he stated.

Within the region, TT stands ninth in terms of CPI rating. Canada tops the regional CPI ratings with a score of 8.4, and Haiti is at the bottom with a score of 1.8.

On the global CPI, this country is rated 59th in the world along with Cuba and Thailand out of 159 nations. Iceland tops the global score with 9.7 and there is a tie between Bangladesh and Chad (both scores of 1.7) for the nation with the highest level of perceived corruption.

Asked whether this meant Government’s efforts to stamp out corruption were ineffective, Reid said the PNM’s anti-corruption drive has been working in some areas as evidenced by Attorney General John Jeremie’s recent disclosure that the State had recovered $27 million from certain corruption dealings in the past.

Reid said while Government’s moves to reform the public procurement regime and strengthen the Integrity Commission are steps in the right direction, there must be more tangible results in the fight against corruption. He hinted that this country’s 2005 CPI rating could have more to do with perceived high levels of corruption in the Police Service rather than corruption on the part of politicians and other public officials.

Saying that no government in TT’s history seems willing to tackle the issue head on, Reid urged Government to place "high priority to reducing corruption in the Police Service," noting that this could reduce the levels of violent crime and "do wonders for our CPI score." He reiterated that the CPI does not determine if corruption is actually occurring in any nation, but TT and all other countries must take its findings seriously and work to address their respective deficiencies.

Reid also said business people must accept their share of the blame for the corruption that exists on a global scale and take the necessary steps to ensure integrity within their organisations.

Reid said he did not believe that TT’s 2005 CPI score was influenced by an ethnic or political bias. He called on Government to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, fully implement provisions of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption, and do all in its power to maximise transparency and accountability "in all of its works."