Accountability Watch

Two weeks ago, we discussed the issue of conflict of interest.

Part II   Last week, we examined the accountability arrangements of all statutory bodies, especially as regards compliance with the Fiscal Management and Accounta-bility (FMA) Act.

The issue of conflict of interest has been in the news over the last few weeks, especially in the light of the disclosure by one of the media houses that the Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman is also the Company Secretary of the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc.,

Over the last few weeks, a number of concerns were expressed that raising the ceiling for Government guarantees of loans to public entities has the effect of increasing the public debt.

Two weeks ago, we began an examination of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption (IACAC) which was signed on 29 March 1996 and which came into force on 6 March 1997. 

Since my article of 5 August on the Amaila Falls Project, a number of important developments took place.

Last week, we began a discussion of the Amaila Hydropower Project in the light of the National Assembly’s rejection of: (a) the proposed amendment to the Hydro Electric Act mainly to protect the surrounding areas; and (b) the motion to lift the ceiling for Government’s guarantee of loans to public corporations and companies.

A historical perspective and the challenges ahead (Part II) Last week, we began a discussion of organizational management because of its relevance to both the public and private sectors but more especially in the light of the myriad of problems facing a number of state institutions. 

Consider the following newspaper headlines: “PM says GPL commercial losses embarrassing”; “Power company forecasts $11B shortfall this year”; “Chand urges expert help to save sugar industry”; and “Sugar industry turnaround ‘far from reality’”.

During the last two weeks, we suspended our review of the UN Convention Against Corruption to look at the operations of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Last week, we commenced reviewing the operations of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) in the light of its disastrous performance over the years, despite the massive subsidies and capital contributions from the Treasury.

I was prompted to write this article because of my dismay at news reports about the salaries/fees payable to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and the Chairmen of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO), in the light of the disastrous performance of these state-owned entities over the years.

Two weeks ago, we began our discussion of the UN Convention Against Corruption that Member States adopted in December 2003.

Last week, we discussed the proposed amendments to the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act of 2009.

Introduction Over the last two weeks, there were some interesting exchanges between the Government and the Opposition political parties on the proposed amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act 2009.

One of the comments made in the Guyana 2012 Human Rights Report was that the Audit Office’s effectiveness remained limited since the Government may or may not act on the deficiencies identified.

Our democracy here in the United States over the last two centuries has weathered the storms of war, economic depression, crime, drugs, corruption and scandal.

Part II Introduction Last week, we discussed four aspects of the Public Service that prevailed at the time I served.

When you see how the President makes political or policy decisions, you see who he is.

Freedom of expression – in particular, freedom of the press – guarantees popular participation in the decisions and actions of government, and popular participation is the essence of our democracy.