AN ANSWER TO CORRUPTION — WHAT WILL WORK

“An enlightened Society is one which implements its highest values” Corruption is preventable. In an enlightened society where honesty is the norm, there is of course, no problem. In a primitive society where dishonesty (corruption in its many and ugly faces) is prevalent, laws are necessary which make it difficult (if not impossible) for politicians and other public officers to engage in corrupt activities without getting caught. Let us face it squarely. We are a primitive society. Our past history and the present times show quite clearly that corruption is rampant in TT and that our existing laws have not worked. We have to try something new even if it goes against some old ideas, ideas which have in fact, allowed corruption a space in which to breed.

Society today is the result of the choices we have made or failed to make. And in this, failing to decide was to decide. We must therefore, accept our responsibility for what has happened because it is only if we accept a situation that we can move on to do something about it. The “we” here does not of course, refer to every single person in TT. We know only too well that there is a hard core of people who will follow the PNM and the UNC, come what may. They are the “PNM till ah dead” and the “UNC or nothing” fanatics, that breed of people who cannot think for themselves, who are dominated by prejudices and who see their parties as their means of identity and survival. The “we” here refers to the thinking citizen who sees this country as his home and the home of his children and his grandchildren; the citizen who wants to live in a space of peace and security, a member of the Third Constituency, if you please. Those among us who are experiencing a shift in consciousness and are now realising that corruption is destroying everything that is good in our country and who are now prepared to vote out any government which engages in or allows corruption.

It was Thursday. Cabinet had just finished with its weekly meeting and the Prime Minister and senior Cabinet members came out to meet the press. Prime Minister: Gentlemen of the press. As you know, my Government believes in transparency and the right of the public to know. We are here as usual to answer any questions you may have. Reporter: Mr Prime Minister, can you tell us something about the Special Crime Unit, its personnel, the kind of equipment it has, the cost involved?

Prime Minister: Well... you see...that is really a matter of national security and it wouldn’t be wise to say anything about it.
Reporter: Minister, the new agreement which was just signed with the XYZ international oil conglomerate, can you give us the details of the agreement?
Minister: Well, ah...that is a private matter between the Government and the company and as such, we can’t give out the details.
Reporter: Prime Minister, Government we understand, has employed several consultants to advise it. Can you give some details of the terms of their contracts?
Prime Minister: That, I’m afraid, is a confidential matter...
Reporter: Minister, we are told that there was no tender for the hospital contract involving the latest batch of medical equipment which is costing the taxpayer over ten million dollars.
Minister: This is not quite true... There was a selective tender.
This imaginary press conference makes a vital point. The words “national security,” “private,” “confidential,” “selective tender,” and others are buzz-words under which all manner of hocus-pocus takes place. They cover a multitude of sins. They provide cover for all kinds of corruption. They are a convenient escape route bypassing the principle of transparency which are the sure signs of good government.
“Nothing breeds appropriate behaviour faster than exposure to the light of public scrutiny.”
“Nothing breeds fairness faster than visibility.”
It is in these two self-evident truths — transparency of action and visibility of leaders — that our salvation from corruption lies. No politician or public officer must be allowed to hide under buzz-words or under any other cover. Government’s business is the people’s business. Government’s money is the people’s money. As such, the people have a right to know how their business is being conducted and how their money is being spent.
No government business (except for the few sensitive cases of national security which may arise) should be withheld from the public. The many opportunities for widespread corruption and the greed of modern day politicians and public officials make this absolutely necessary. The concepts of privacy, confidentiality, national security, secrecy of any kind whatsoever, provide too much leeway for the public scamp; and in any event, it is a thing of the past in this new age of open government. Laws must therefore, be enacted which effectively provide for the disclosure of all government transactions with no loophole for the Government to hide unlawful or embarrassing information, for example, Dr Selwyn Cudjoe’s appointment to the Central Bank Board and Government’s cover-up.
Of course, the politicians and other public officials will howl in disagreement. They will scream that their private business is private. Government will pronounce that many competent individuals will not accept appointments to statutory and other boards. So what! People hide only the things they are ashamed of. If an individual is not prepared to be visible to the public in his affairs when asked to serve, then under the new paradigm of visibility, he is unsuitable for public office. Visibility is truth, and truth is what we desperately need now in our public affairs.
In this crucial time of our history, we must deliberately seek out honest and open men and women who are prepared to give up some of their privacy for the honour of serving their country. And I can assure you — there are many such people.
The laws required will enshrine this right of the public to know and will provide among other things, for —
1) An independent public information department to which all government ministries and statutory bodies will send on a monthly basis, a statement of its income and expenditure, a statement of the salaries and allowances of all persons employed, and a statement (with copies) of all contracts awarded. The department’s records will be available to the public. 2) The designation of a particular office within each ministry and statutory body, the holder of which, together with the chief executive officer will be under a statutory duty to provide any information requested by the public within a specified time. Failure to provide such information will be an offence punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.
3) The revamping of the Integrity Commission to empower it, among other things to investigate any matter involving corruption in the public service, and if a prima facie case is made out, to refer such matters directly to the magistrate court of the criminal assize for trial.