UK firm in second phase of TT corruption survey

Anti-corruption consultants de Speville&Associates who were retained by government about three years ago in its fight against corruption, has reached the second stage of its consultancy and has sent out a questionnaire to several local organisations and individuals. The public consultation paper is entitled, “The fight against corruption — A fresh approach by the Government of TT.” In its mandate, government said it has been concerned for some time about the menace of corruption, which is affecting all sectors of our community. “Current efforts to fight corruption are failing,” the introduction of the document stated. “The government is taking a fresh approach to the problem and, with the help of anti-corruption specialists, de Speville & Associates, has been examining the issues involved and the alternative ways of tackling the problem.”

The document further stated that the specialists have been asked to consult the community on the main issues with the help of a technical team from the Ministry of the Attorney General and the support of the United Nations Development Programme Country Office in TT. “The views of all sectors of society are being sought on the best ways of dealing with the menace,” it added. According to the paper, the consultation first provides information about the main aspects of fighting corruption and what the government is considering; second, it seeks the views of individuals and representative organisations from all sectors. In its second introduction, the paper states: “In recent years the perception and allegations of corruption have been a major issue in TT. The problem is felt to have intensified, especially over the last six years.” It mentions that a country’s social and economic development can be significantly undermined by corruption and that political life is ‘poisoned’ and even the rule of law is compromised by corruption.

A sample of the list of questions is as follows:

Question 1. Do you share the views of those who believe that corruption must be dealt with firmly?
1. Yes   2. With reservations     
3. No

Political Life —
Bribery and trafficking in influence are said to plague our political life.
Corruption does not have to be accepted as part of it. A new anti-corruption strategy should include action against corruption in politics.

Do you agree that the fight against corruption should include political life?

1. Strongly agree       2. Agree
3. Disagree                 4. Strongly disagree
5. Do not know

Judiciary—

Like all other members of the community our judges and magistrates are subject to the criminal law, including the criminal law of corruption.
Some say, however, that the obligation to make an annual declaration of assets, which all senior public servants have to make, should not apply to judges because that legal requirement compromises the independence of judges.

E. Do you think that judges should make the annual declaration of assets that other senior public servants have to make?
1. Yes                             2. No

The questionnaire deals with several areas of public life as well as strategy and policies in dealing with corruption including openess, confidentiality and accountability. Speaking with Sunday Newsday last week, Attorney General, Glenda Morean said Cabinet had taken a  decision to go with one of the recommendations made by the consultants. “As a result we are unto stage two of the process whereby he (de Speville) is now putting out this paper to get the opinions of the population with respect to how we go forward.” She agreed that corruption needed to be dealt with in TT. “No doubt we need to set up a system to arrest corruption and this is the system we are working out here,” she said. Bernard de Speville, who heads the consulting firm, had advised government that tougher laws alone will not assist in eradicating corruption in TT. Addressing a news conference while visiting the country earlier this month, he said the consultation exercise with business and other civic organisations, will be done in order to elicit opinion leaders’ views on corruption and the development of the new anti-corruption strategy. Attempts to reach him at his office in London proved to be futile.