New Integrity Commission has its work cut out

Dear Editor,

It was extremely encouraging to learn that the President of Guyana is expected to unveil a new Integrity Commission soon, now that nominees have been identified and submitted by the Prime Minister.

 One can only hope that the 10 Principles of Public Life – accountability, dignity, diligence, duty, honour, integrity, loyalty, objectivity, responsibility and transparency – and the order to address issues of bribery, discrimination, receiving/giving of gifts, conflict of interest, use of official influence, handling of classified information, use of public property, sexual misconduct and entertainment will be applied especially to the senior Municipal officials at the Georgetown Municipality.

 These senior officers of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) should be made to declare their assets and incomes; and their conduct should be monitored to ensure that they do not benefit from disproportionate wealth, or gain personal advantage and advancement from their offices.

 Those who have moved from bankruptcy, the seizure of their cars and attempted foreclosure of their homes just a little over two years ago, to now being in possession of immense wealth and considerable assets, including multiple homes and vehicles, should be made to explain from whence, and with what rapidity, their enormous fortunes have been accumulated.

 Indeed, I believe that if we are to save our capital, then the first order of business for the new Integrity Commission, after it has been set up, should be to focus on the Georgetown Municipality, which is hemorrhaging badly because of a few unscrupulous officers.

Best regards,

Sambu Jacobus