APNU Member of Parliament, Dr. Terrence Campbell, has proposed amendments to the Integrity Commission Act, which would give greater powers to the Integrity Commission and mandate the Commission to release a summary declaration of specified office holders.

Mr. Campbell had first called for the Integrity Commission Act to bolstered back in January, but said his recent move to have the amendments submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly, was fuelled by the disclosure of the President’s mega-farm at Long Creek on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Campbell described the current construct of the Integrity Commission as a “toothless poodle” that is unable to fight or expose corruption. 

“I believe that Guyana needs a more robust legislation to address this issue. Our legislation does not instruct the integrity commission or direct the integrity commission to public any declaration whatsoever, and as far as I am concerned the integrity commission is a toothless poodle,” Mr. Campbell noted.

The Opposition MP said he is hoping that the amendments would have wide support, arguing that any party or person that fails to support the amendments may have something to hide.

He said there has to be a system in place where information is available regarding certain declarations, so that there can be perusal and possible action where necessary.

Dr. Campbell said he has never heard of a case where the Commission questioned any declaration made to it or seek clarification or expose instances where declarations seem to be faulty.

“To be fair, I don’t know of them really know of them going out and investigating anybody, be it government officials, opposition, permanent secretaries, or regional officers, which is why I have described the Integrity Commission as a toothless poodle,” Mr. Campbell said.

He said the amendments would not be asking for every declaration to be released, but aspects that would allow civil society and the media to investigate and allow a fair debate.

He would want to see the proposed amendments applied to the President, all Members of Parliament, head of security agencies and all government agencies as well as regional officials such as Mayors and Deputy Mayors.

Campbell acknowledged that the Bill may take a while to come up in the National Assembly because of the infrequency in which Parliament meets.

However, he is calling on persons, including the President and those in government and opposition, to release their 2025 declarations to the Commission.

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