-by Kristin Josiah
A parliamentary exchange over Guyana’s anti-corruption legislation sparked debate in the National Assembly, with the Government rejecting claims that the country lacks a modern anti-corruption framework.
Minister Gail Teixeira defended existing laws and outlined plans to further strengthen transparency, procurement systems, and anti-corruption measures.
During the 13th Parliament today, WIN Member of Parliament, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley sought to inquire from the Government whether a modern anti-corruption act is in existent in this country.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Goverance, Gail Teixeira while responding to the assertion stated that the opposition member was trying to create an impression that there are no Anti-corruption laws in this country. She further argued that if there were none, the United States Department of State would not have been able to impose sanctions on Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, for acts of public corruption and the avoidance of more than US$50 million in duty taxes on gold exports.
“But the way you draft the question as if there is no law. First of all there are many many pieces of laws including in the 12th parliament we had brought legislation to improve those laws. To reform those laws including an anti-money laundering and a number of areas that have come before this house,” the minister said.
Minister Teixeira also assured that over the next 5 years, the PPP/C government will continue to build a Public Procurement system that is fair, transparent, competitive, efficient and promotes value for money by additional streamlining and simplification of the bidding process.
She added that the Government will further democratize access to government procurement as well as improve both the competitiveness and the fairness of the system.
The PPP/C Administration, according to Minister Teixeira will continue to strengthen laws where needed and establish an anti-corruption unit. She added that the Government is also looking to utilize technology such as Block chain to add transparency and reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency.
“We have ratified the UN convention and that we have been reviewed up to recently and that we have been in compliance with many of the areas as many countries are and we are a country that has made progress like other countries. There is not one country in the world that has been able to fulfil the requirements of the UN convention against corruption. But we have made good good progress,” she said.