It is apparent the general perception in Trinidad and Tobago at present is that public officials on the average are more corrupt than last year. It is a statistic that we as proud citizens cannot and should not stand for in this age where transparency should be expected at all levels of the public and private sector.
According to a report from the Transparency International, the latest CPI for Trinidad and Tobago was 3.2 out of a possible 10. We now proudly rank head and shoulders with ‘global leaders’, Burkina Faso, Lesotho, Moldova and Morocco, at number 79 out of a possible 163.Mr. Boyd Reid, the local TTTI secretary, in commenting on the ranking suggests that the score is so low due to the number of public officials before the courts at present. On that list includes former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, former ministers Brian Kuei Tung and Sadiq Baksh amongst others.
There are also problems with the method by which the present government handles public infrastructure improvements and additions according to Mr. Reid. “Government has appeared unwilling to have serious dialogue with those who have genuine concerns about the sustainability or even feasibility of the mega projects. The rapid rail system, the aluminium smelters and the development of East Port-of-Spain are cases in point,” Reid said.
In addition there are a number of issues that TTTI raised that add another cloud to the transparency that should be in place. Those include:
- Members of the Opposition do little if any to limit the tide of corruption
- Failure to strengthen the Integrity Commission
- Government does not publish the price of natural gas that is exported
- Multiple sections of the Public Life Act are flawed
- Government has failed to adhere to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative by not revealing revenue earned via oil and gas sales
- Failure to keep promises regarding urgent reform to public sector procurement
Here is a link to the full standings as reported by Transparency International.
