Minster of Governance, Gail Teixeira, has stressed the need for public servants, especially high-ranking officials, to conduct their functions more diligently in order to promote good governance and effective management of the systems to ensure equitable access, fairness, and transparency in Guyana.

Speaking at the opening of a round table discussion on ethical behaviour within the public service at the Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday, Minister Teixeria said, Permanent Secretaries, Regional Executive Officers, Procurement Officers, and other technical persons, and Government agencies like the Ombudsman must be held accountable to the citizens as they manage their affairs. 

“When we are handling the people’s money, and the people’s programmes, we have moral obligations to do it the right way, the best way and to make sure the people get value for money,” Ms. Teixeria stated.

The roundtable discussion focused on developing the capacity of public officials to eliminate instances of corruption.  

The forum is being held under the theme: ‘Promoting integrity and effectiveness in public bodies and authorities responsible for preventing corruption.’

The Minister said the Government is looking at how it can build capacity for public servants to perform effectively at the highest level. The efforts include making more training programmes available and ensuring that public officials are knowledgeable of the rules and laws governing their various functions.

“When you’re a politician and if you want to be elected, you have to be accountable to the people… that goes for Permanent Secretaries who hold power, as well as Regional Executive Officers, Overseers at the local government level, Toshaos at the Amerindian village council level, and the treasurers of that level,” the Minister pointed out.

Minister Teixeira said the Government has reached a point where it cannot be business as usual. She highlighted several initiatives undertaken  by the Administration to tighten the grip on corruption within the public sector.

“We have to now reach a point where, as a government, as a public service, that we are holding ourselves to high standards,” the Minister stated.

Further, the Minister also highlighted the importance of abiding by the Integrity Commission since it represents the people. She explained that the Commission must operate and build a culture that is fair and transparent.

She also said that the Government is working on amending the Integrity Commission legislation to ensure that  individuals report as required and within the specified timeframe.

Just last month, a Permanent Secretary was sanctioned by the US Government over her alleged involvement in a bribery scheme. Her US visa had been previously revoked. There have also been complaints about other officials in various Government Ministries being involved in corrupt practices.

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