Various measures implemented, evidence of government’s fight to stop corruption-Minister Harmon

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 20, 2017

Government has instituted a several of measures to fight corruption and the perception of corruption, so said Minister of State Joseph Harmon. The minister addressed this issue when he responded today to a question about government’s efforts, during the post Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Minister Harmon emphasised that the government will, “try to put out the facts to deal with that perception but sometimes there is a big gap between perception and reality, and depending on where you stand, your perception becomes your reality.” The minister posited that the administration is doing its best to ensure that its processes are clean, its actions are transparent and action taken against corruption.

Any perception of corruption is as a result of what obtained previously, Minister Harmon stated, “We are now trying to work our way out of it.” He reminded that under the previous government, Guyana’s ranking on the Index was much lower. This signified the perception of a high rate of corruption and government, “is doing several things to ensure that it is higher.” First the first time in years, government presented in the National Assembly a half year report on the state of the economy, he pointed out.

The early presentation of National Budgets and the conducting of financial enquiries, are also being done to ensure that any corrupt practices or perception of them, can be corrected, he stressed. Minister Harmon added that he is confident that the majority of persons, locally, believe that government is doing a good job, with regards to, “making this country a better place and a more accountable place for all Guyanese.”

Guyana moved up by 11 places on the international ranking of ‘perceived corruption’ – from 119, with a score of 29, in 2015 to 108, with a score of 34, in 2016. This was revealed in the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report for 2016.

 

 

By: Paul Mc Adam

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