So, here we are again, being graded by an international organisation!! Now, this isn’t something we can just shrug off in this globalised, seamlessly interrelated world into which our oil is propelling us so much faster. Your Eyewitness’s head is spinning with the speed – yeah, in the Exorcist!! This time it was “Transparency International” that rates countries as to how well (or “bad”) they’re doing in the corruption sweepstakes. And your Eyewitness does see it as a sweepstakes when every country is corrupt to one extent or another. The point is, countries have to make it APPEAR that everything is on the up and up. TI allocates a score of zero to 100 based on a score where zero means TOTAL corruption and 100 means floating with the angels!! And even they had their corruption – remember Lucifer?
Cause how’s it that Suriname’s tied with us at a score of 40, when they literally had a drug dealer and a murderer for President – one who remained the power behind every Government for four decades? Not to mention the fella’s on Interpol’s watch list!! So, what are the criteria that TI uses to judge countries?? According to its website, “The data sources used to compile the CPI specifically cover the following manifestations of public sector corruption: Bribery; Diversion of public funds; Officials using their public office for private gain without facing consequences; Ability of governments to contain corruption in the public sector; Excessive red tape in the public sector, which may increase opportunities for corruption; Nepotistic appointments in the civil service; Laws ensuring that public officials must disclose their finances and potential conflicts of interest; Legal protection for people who report cases of bribery and corruption; State capture by narrow vested interests; Access to information on public affairs/government activities”. Whew!!
Now, how does TI get its data?? It claims that “each country’s score is a combination of at least 3 data sources drawn from 13 different corruption surveys and assessments. These data sources are collected by a variety of reputable institutions, including the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.” We also know it has got a local affiliate with a long-running battle with locals. It seems to have its own axe to grind, and doesn’t step on the toes of its friends in the woke community in which it circulates.
Now, we’re 85th out of 180 countries that were rated – meaning that, for some reason, more than 20 countries slipped off TI’s radar!! This means that, of those countries, according to TI, we’re less corrupt than more than half of them out there!! Not bad, if one considers all the oil money flowing in, and therefore the opportunities must’ve increased exponentially!!Dem a watch we!!
…and bubbles
As we enter the big leagues with our oil finds – and don’t think for a minute they’ll be easing off at our present confirmed 13 billion barrels– we gotta watch out for economic challenges that come with the territory. Remember what Johnson said about the rich being the ones with gout because of their rich diet?? Similar challenges face poor countries suddenly coming into BIG money!!
One of these is the creation of “bubbles” in the economy. That is, in particular areas of economic activity, at various times, there will be feeding frenzies as the nouveau riche smell blood…er, profits…and jump in all at once. So, the old law of supply and demand kicks in and prices in that area reach for the sky. Right now, in Guyana, we can see a bubble developing in the housing sector – even though the Government’s making it so easy for everyone to get a house. The problem – as indicated – is with the speculating moneyed local and foreign folks!!
Until the bubble bursts!!
