Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 16, 2017 News
On May 12, Kaieteur News conducted an interview with head of TIGI, Dr. Troy Thomas.
The lecturer at the University of Guyana was informed that given the fact that May 11, marked two years since the government would have been in office, some sections of society seemed to be in a mode of reflection.
He was reminded that prior to the May 11, General and Regional Elections, Guyana has often been described by the government, TIGI officials in the past, among others, as being under a “poisonous shadow of corruption”. He was then asked to say if given where Guyana is today under the new Government, if he believes that the nation is on to a “new era of anti-corruption” or if there is still room for improvement.
To this, Dr. Thomas said, “Yes. As it relates to anti-corruption I believe that we have seen some important steps taken by the Government. If you really think about it. Let me just identify some. For instance, the setting up of the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) and trying to get the Bill passed. But I am going to hasten to say that some commentators have identified some issues with the Bill and even TIGI commented on it some time ago, so I don’t necessarily think that the bill is perfect, but the initiative is excellent.” The TIGI head noted in his letter and in a recent conversation with this newspaper that while he would have agreed with, and provided comments to the question posed, the words or phrases, “poisonous shadow of corruption” and “new era of anti-corruption” were not his, but the direct words of the reporter.
Dr. Thomas also stated that while he would have spoken about some of the important steps regarding anti-corruption, he provided counterexamples to show that there are areas which still have to be looked at.
Dr. Thomas said that this was captured by KN and the newspaper included his allusion to the legal issues raised about the SARA Bill. He said that his approach was meant to convey the fact that the government has allowed the bond deal to stand is a counterexample (and there are others) to the generalisation.
With this in mind, he felt that the content of the article was inconsistent with the headline used.
Dr. Thomas also alleged that even when KN paraphrased what he said, it managed to insert ideas. “For example, whereas my focus was on the government and not any political party, KN has attributed direct comparisons between the PPP (PPP era) and the current government to me. However, to assess the APNU-AFC government, I consider what the APNU-AFC government has done against what is required.”
Kaieteur News does not agree with the aforementioned allegation. Throughout the conversation, KN specifically asked questions regarding certain constitutional entities and their status in the context of how the former government treated with same while taking a look at the behaviour of the APNU+AFC party.
An example of this was the issue of the release of contracts and information as requested by the media and other sections of the public. This newspaper reminded Dr. Thomas of same yesterday and he acquiesced.
The TIGI head went on to state that his interview with KN touched on the Integrity Commission and the Ombudsman as avenues for recourse for citizens. He stated that the latter was raised by the reporter as a question. Dr. Thomas noted that the absence of these entities limit the options available and therefore closes some possibilities for addressing corruption.
He said that these references were omitted from the KN article which was published on May 13. However, it was later explained to Dr. Thomas that those points regarding the Integrity Commission, the Ombudsman along with others, were set aside to be dealt with as separate stories: case in point is the article which was published on Sunday, “TIGI wants penalties in place for Office of Commissioner of Information.” Dr. Thomas acknowledged same.
Dr. Thomas also went on to state that the said article provides readers with an important point which he believes was overshadowed by the incorrect headline.
Dr. Thomas in this regard said, “There have been initiatives that are commendable but there are other issues with implications for corruption that have emerged. The government needs to deal with the corruption issues that have emerged decisively. Furthermore, some initiatives that can address corruption have only been partially implemented whereas others have been stalled. An overarching consideration is that we are yet to see if the changes with anti-corruption implications will be effective. I urge the government to take the necessary steps to address corruption and to capitalise on the expertise of the citizenry to strengthen such initiatives.”
The University of Guyana Lecturer noted too that “TIGI remains a non-partisan organisation that does not seek to create or negate favour towards political entities. It is imperative that the press understands the seriousness of the purpose of TIGI and it must represent the views of the organisation correctly.”
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 24, 2024
Round 2 GFF Women’s League Division One Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Police Force FC on Saturday last demolished Pakuri Jaguars FC with a 17 – 0 goal blitz at the Guyana Football...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]