GEISHA KOWLESSAR-ALONZO
geisha.kowlessar@guardian.co.tt
The T&T Transparency Institute (TTTI) joins the world in observing International Anti-Corruption Day.
The TTTI, the national chapter of Transparency International (TI), works for “a world in which government, politics, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free of corruption,” the organisation said in statement.
It noted that Anti-Corruption Day provides an opportunity for citizens to reflect on the shattering impact corruption has on the most vulnerable in society.
Chairman of TTTI, Delia Ferreira Rubio said, “Corruption is much more likely to flourish where democratic foundations are weak.”
The TTTI is also urging all stakeholders to join in the effort to ensure actions are achieved in a timely manner and advocates through its Business Integrity Country Agenda (BICA) Report for the:
•Amendment of The Prevention of Corruption Act 1987 to cover commercial bribery and bribery of foreign officials by the end of 2020.
•Proclamation and enforcement of Whistle Blowing legislation by the end of 2020. This long outstanding piece of legislation will provide much needed support and encouragement to victims and witnesses of corrupt activity.
•Enactment of Campaign Finance Legislation and ensuring full implementation of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act by end of 2019. With General elections on the horizon, TTTI has added countdown clocks to the website to keep these two matters on the radar.
•Proclamation of the entire Fair Trading Act 2006 which would empower the Fair Trading Commission.
•Strengthening of sanctions against the breach of accounting and auditing standards in order to deter non-compliance.
•Relocation of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to a space large enough to accommodate a full complement of staff.
•Expansion of the power of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to improve its investigative capability in cases of alleged police misconduct.
•Equipping of the Auditor General’s office with more accounting and auditing staff to audit the institutions that fall under its remit.
*Examining and addressing the resource constraints of the Office of the DPP, the Financial Investigations Bureau (FIB), the Fraud Squad and the Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau (ACIB).
•Instituting stricter penalties for accounting and auditing discrepancies in the public sector. These penalties should be fines proportionate to the discrepancy and not simply the suspension, transfer or dismissal of the perpetrator.
•Introducing measures for the prevention of fraud in state enterprises.
TTTI said it acknowledges that while the Parliament has made efforts in enacting Anti-Corruption legislation such as the passage of the Civil Asset Recovery and Management and Unexplained Wealth Bill, 2019, as well as the removal of the Anti-corruption Investigations Bureau (ACIB) from under the purview of the Ministry of the Attorney General to the Commissioner of Police, more has to be done.
TTTI also noted the recent analysis of country evaluations issued by the global anti-money laundering regulator, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which highlighted T&T as the only country which fully complies with the FATF requirements.
“The TTTI remains devoted to seeking ways to reduce, if not eliminate corruption from Trinidad and Tobago. Countering corruption requires cooperation from all Parliament officials, sectors/organisations and every citizen,” the statement added.