Govt has reducedcorruption

THE EDITOR: Our corruption perception is down in 2017. TT’s recent jump in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from a ranking of 101 in 2016 to 77 as reflected in the 2017 report is more than a perception for citizens. The reality is that the country is witnessing the turnaround effect of legislation and other measures introduced by the Government to tackle corruption head-on.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has campaigned on stamping out corruption and his Government’s efforts are getting results. This is an ongoing process and the milestones achieved in this area must be commended.

The net effect of a less corrupt country are far and wide-ranging. We must note that less corruption means more taxpayers’ dollars available to service the needs of citizens. Additionally, it provides an environment more conducive to attracting foreign direct investment and investor confidence.

Citizens are paying attention to the recent developments with those politicians from the former UNC administration who are currently before the courts on corruption-related charges. Contractors suspected of acquiring contracts by corrupt means are also under investigation by the relevant law enforcement agencies.

Although this has given the country hope that people in the public domain accused of such crimes are also subject to answer in the courts, we still have a long way to go in prosecuting white-collar crime.

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi is currently on schedule and the Parliament in line with the progress of ground-breaking legislation to strengthen law enforcement agencies based on a robust legislative agenda. As a result, a bill titled An Act to amend the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago Act, the Customs Act and the Exchange Control Act is now being debated in the Parliament.

We as Trinidadians-Tobagonians are proud of this achievement in the fight against corruption and continue to look forward to improving and progressing with time.

RONALD HUGGINS

social media officer, PNM