Corruption in the Borough

CAROL MATROO

ARIMA Mayor Lisa Morris-Julian is calling for an investigation into alleged corruption perpetrated by an official of the Arima Borough Corporation.

Morris-Julian said she has forwarded all documents, receipts and records to the corporation’s chief executive officer after a member of the public complained about an official of the Borough trying to induce the citizen into paying a bribe to get certain service done.

“We do not want anybody using their public office to tell someone the only way they can get service is if you give me this. We are looking at bribery. We are asking the CEO to take this issue to the Fraud Squad. I cannot comment on whether the allegation is true or not, but we want it to be dealt with quickly,” Morris-Julien said.

The mayor was speaking to members of the media after yesterday’s statutory meeting at the Arima Town Hall. She said the official being accused of demanding a bribe is still on the job. “The CEO is the one who has to do what she needs to do because as you know, we don’t hire and we don’t fire. But I cannot sit on information and not do anything. I cannot turn a blind eye,” Morris-Julian said.

“That is why we need an investigation because we need to keep our integrity intact,” she said. The mayor also called on Arima businessmen with illegal structures to regularise their status. “Apparently it is easier to say sorry than to ask for permission. What we have are people with very little scruples who build what they want and eventually people turn a blind eye, but this council will not be turning a blind eye.”

The mayor said indiscriminate construction is rampant with one person even building a house in a public park. “I think that is ridiculous. The process is too slow in the town superintendent’s department. They are dragging their feet and I am fed up of it. If someone is doing something wrong, the law is behind us. Use the law, do what you have to do,” she urged. Morris-Julian said there are only 16 officers in the Arima Municipal Police force which makes it difficult to monitor the situation.