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guyanatimesgy.com
saturday, june 8, 2013
Views Cultural cricket Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Editorial
Bribery W
orldwide, an estimated one trillion US dollars get siphoned off through bribes every year, according to the World Bank. Public office is abused for private gain when an official accepts, solicits, or extorts a bribe. It is also abused when private agents actively offer bribes to circumvent public policies and processes for competitive advantage and profit. Public office can also be abused for personal benefit even if bribery does not occur, through patronage and nepotism, the theft of state assets, or the diversion of state revenues. Recently the Home Affairs Ministry launched the ipaidabribe website – an online forum that gives citizens a chance to report anonymously on corruption in the public sector. It was reported that already a total of G$6.4 million was allegedly paid in bribes since the launch of the website. While this website may be considered a very small measure in the overall scheme of things to tackle corruption, it is still a useful mechanism and will certainly complement other initiatives already in place to address the issue. We should mention that president Donald Ramotar and his predecessor, Bharrat Jagdeo, have always insisted that those with evidence of corruption and abuse of public office should come forward so that the necessary action can be taken against those found to be culpable. It is no secret that, almost daily, Guyanese citizens have to ‘pass something’ in the process of seeking a public service of some kind. But this is not only a problem in Guyana. Corruption is a global phenomenon found in all countries, especially in the developing world. The World Bank explains that a small side payment to obtain or speed up a government service may seem a minor offence, but it is not the only cost. “Unchecked, the creeping accumulation of seemingly minor infractions can slowly erode political legitimacy to the point where even non-corrupt officials and members of the public see little point in playing by the rules,” says the bank. That said, corruption is not just a problem in government or public service. The private sector suffers too, where corruption erodes corporate identity, undermines confidence between business partners and can destroy the reputation of once trusted companies. Therefore, the contribution of the private sector in fighting corruption is essential. In the book, Fighting Corruption in Public Services: Chronicling Georgia’s Reforms, Philippe Le Houerou explains that there is ample evidence that corruption holds back countries’ economic development and erodes their citizens’ quality of life. He points out that in many countries, administrative corruption imposes a heavy burden on citizens’ and firms’ time and resources, creates dissatisfaction with public services, undermines trust in public institutions, and stifles business growth and investment. “Often, administrative corruption is seen as endemic, a product of traditional local culture, and – as such – inevitable. In turn, political leaders often use citizens’ perceived tolerance of corruption as an excuse for inaction,” he states. In reference to Georgia’s experiences, Le Houerou points out that the vicious cycle of ostensibly endemic corruption can be broken, and if sustained with appropriate institutional reforms – can be turned into a virtuous cycle. But there are many useful lessons that could be adapted and applied in other countries facing comparable challenges in tackling pervasive administrative corruption as in the case of Guyana. The book (referred to earlier) takes a case-study approach to chronicle how transparency and integrity in specific public services – traffic police, tax, customs, electricity distribution, higher education, issuance of Identity documents, property and business registration, and municipal services – were improved. In particular, it highlights the critical importance of toplevel political will, which enabled the prompt implementation of a strategy characterised by mutually reinforcing reforms for corruption prevention, detection, and enforcement in a wide range of public services. It also talks about the need to have institutional reforms in order to ensure the sustainability of Georgia’s anti-corruption results by putting in place a robust system of checks and balances. According to the World Bank, building strong institutions is a central challenge of development and is key to controlling corruption. Well-functioning public management systems, accountable organisations, a strong legal framework, and independent judiciary, and a vigilant civil society protect a country against corruption. Institutional strengthening, therefore, should be at the core of a country’s anti-corruption strategy.
The members of the Maasai Warriors cricket team pose following their Twenty20 match against an international side, the Ambassadors, in Laikipia National Park. The Warriors are made up of players from the Maasai tribe, who play exhibition matches to highlight issues in rural communities
Attorney-at-law says passport office policy decision is unlawful
Dear Editor The decision of the relevant functionaries at the passport office to not issue passports to any applicant who has changed their name by way of deed poll is unlawful. A number of applicants who have sought to be issued with a new passport under their new name after having duly changed their name via deed poll have been refused. The relevant functionaries have mentioned that
a number of persons of Guyanese nationality have either been deported from or have committed offences in other countries and return to Guyana to change their name and be issued with a new passport in their new name and travel once again under the veil of anonymity. While this is indeed a possibility, a citizen of Guyana is entitled to change his/her name to a name of his/her own choosing.
Once he/she duly changes his/her name under the provisions of the laws of Guyana he/she is also entitled to be issued with all national identification documents in whatever name he/she so chooses. Until the legislators have changed the law in relation to the legal entitlement of a person to change their name then this decision is unlawful and a denial of their right. A possible solution to the quagmire is to just in-
clude the former name on the passport under the caption “formerly known as” so the history and record, criminal or otherwise, of any Guyanese travelling to a different country can still be captured in the system of that foreign country. If this policy decision is not changed forthwith I may be compelled to take appropriate legal action. Yours truly, Charles Ramson Jr
Parents should support the School of the Nations arts festival in July Dear Editor, I am hearing a lot about what to do during the upcoming holidays. I am seeing and hearing numerous advertisements for all kinds of camps and summer programmes, but I am not getting anything much as regards the arts. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that School of the Nations has gone ahead and done something in this regard. The institution has already organised for a team, of four theatre professionals from the U.S. to offer a three week theatre arts workshop in July.The U.S. team will work alongside a local team so as to develop the workshops. Arts is universal and
this kind of exchange and intermingling of skills between the two parties will benefit both the American professionals and our own Guyanese counterparts. We can do with some help and exposure where the arts is concerned. The University of Guyana has come a long
way where arts emphasis is concerned. It may be a bit early for it to say what is on offer for the holiday break. But I do ask that something come on board for our many students. There is indeed a paucity of arts specialists in Guyana. Many high schools do not have a very healthy
programme in this area. So, UG can start with something along the lines of stimulating our schools to shore up in this area. I hope also that many parents will jump at what School of the Nations is offering. Yours faithfully, Hannah DeFlorimonte