(Trinidad Guardian) In a passionate plea directed at business owners, High Court Judge Frank Seepersad urged them to stop paying bribes to further their enterprises.
Speaking at the San Fernando Business Association dinner at City Hall auditorium on Saturday night, Justice Seepersad warned that if such behaviour persists, T&T’s public service will never improve.
“The ease of doing business has to be addressed by the Executive and Legislature and the business community has to restrain from doing what is expeditious and wrong,” he said.
Lamenting that many times people see corruption but do nothing about it, Justice Seepersad said, “We all continue to turn a blind eye to proper process and procedure. If we are willing to pay a bribe to get our business expedited then the public service will never get to the levels of efficiency which is required, nor would our productivity in the Republic improve,” he stressed.
Despite the existence of numerous anti-corruption laws, Justice Seepersad noted a significant enforcement challenge. He called for a shift in focus, urging the business community to prioritise the country’s interest over personal gains. Acknowledging the valuable contributions of businesses to the economy, he advocated for ethical conduct across all sectors.
“The challenge is to put the greater good and country’s interest ahead of one’s interest. That is what the business community needs to focus on,” he said.
In his speech, Justice Seepersad also acknowledged the contributions of the business sector, saying “sometimes they are unfairly criticised but their contribution to the economy is stellar.
“We all have to strive to do what is right,” he insisted.
He also urged small, medium or large business owners to be prepared to report and assist in the prosecution of wrong doers at every level.
Calling for the enactment of campaign finance reform, Justice Seepersad complained that too many times business owners make contributions to gain favours from politicians.
“As a society, a firm stand has to be taken and a loud call has to be issued to those holding executive and legislative authority so that the best interest of the taxpayers is of paramount importance and that no political financier should be given preferential treatment,” he said.
He also pointed to the unavailability of foreign exchange and a decline in the retail sector as issues that have negatively impacted businesses.
“Your profit margins have suffered, and you are struggling to keep your businesses afloat, yet there are some businesses, financial institutions and conglomerates which seem to be immune from the financial constraints which grapple most of the country. Their profit margins increase annually. Is this coincidental or by design?” he asked.
Justice Seepersad said all citizens should uphold integrity and not give in to corruption.
Meanwhile, San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris promised that San Fernando will be transformed in the coming months. He said the city will get a facelift and all illegal activities which persisted in the city will be discontinued.
President of the San Fernando Business Association Daphne Bartlette presented awards to outstanding citizens who have contributed to the development of T&T. Among those receiving awards were Captain Vallence Rambharat of the Hunters Search and Rescue Team.
