Corruption worse and we like it so

The index measures the perception of business people and country experts about corruption in the country. It does not measure perceived corruption in the private sector. However, Transparency International recognises that the private sector is generally the source of the bribes paid to public sector workers, therefore it is equally to blame for TT ’s poor corruption perception.

The surveys were conducted over 24 months, essentially between 2014 and 2015, by five reputable and international institutions. Of 176 countries surveyed, TT was ranked 101 (2015: 72 of 168), the lowest among Caricom countries, except for Guyana and Haiti. On a scale of 100 to 0 where 100 is perceived to be very clean and 0 perceived to be highly corrupt, TT scored 35 (2015: 39).

There is the well-known saying that “a country gets the government it deserves”. That could be adapted to “a country gets the Corruption Perception Index it deserves”.

In our case, many individuals and leaders of corporate TT who have been complaining about government corruption over recent years are probably hanging their heads in shame over our country’s poor performance in CPI 2016. I would like to ask them: What, except for complaining and blaming others, have you done to fight the cancer of corruption in TT ? I suspect the majority have done nothing, which is par for the course in TT .

On the other hand, the Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute (TTT I) has been doing plenty (www.transparency.

org.tt) but with little recognition or support from those who complain the most. Since 1998, TTT I has been the only TT civil society organisation dedicated to fighting corruption through its promotion of transparency and integrity in public life.

A few members fight corruption in the trenches because it is a battle that has to be won if we are to leave our children a better country. Other members lend their support in the background through their membership fee.

It is understandable that many concerned people may not want to join TTT I members in the trenches to fight corruption but individuals and corporate TT can and should support its work by donations and/or becoming members for a small annual fee.

Let us put our money where our mouth is and make TT a better place.

Victor Hart via email