We have a very narrow idea of corruption in this country. That’s why we keep getting ripped off. Many of us believe that only politicians steal and that they steal in a very obvious way, by just reaching their hands into the Treasury and taking money out.
First of all, there is a whole host of non-politicians who occupy positions of power and have access to great amounts of the country’s money, even without really being connected to the Government. The Police Service, for instance, has its own budget of millions of dollars to be spent as the Commissioner of Police sees fit. Of course, there are rules and regulations that are supposed to govern the office-holder’s spending and limit the exercise of his or her power.
However, no one would ever imagine that a Commissioner of Police could be corrupt. Thus, we close our eyes to the possibility and so open the door to opportunities for mischief by any sufficiently conniving individual who may find his or her way into the position. This is purely hypothetical, of course. I am certainly not suggesting that Ms Erla Christopher is anything but scrupulously honest.
Several entities in Trinidad and Tobago survive on Government subventions. Even totally independent organisations such as the Integrity Commission, Procurement Regulator and various commissions of enquiry must make use of funds from central government in order to function. However, as these are supposedly performing a service on the public’s behalf, are they afforded limitless and unquestioning access to the public purse? We need to ask ourselves that question.
All State enterprises and ministries, of course, are directly paid for by the Treasury. But what about NGOs (non-governmental organisations); what about the very many schools and other educational establishments that must be supported; what about our ubiquitous cultural groups and sporting bodies? Most do wonderful work that we all appreciate and can never repay.
However, some of these entities are simply cash cows that are being milked by unscrupulous players. If we continue to simply shrug off the need for accountability because we are blinded by their supposed noble goals, we are facilitating, if not applauding, corruption.
The second thing we need to look out for is the creative ways corruption is being perpetrated today. Often, it can be done with the stroke of a pen. Contracts at inflated costs. Contracts for extended periods. Split contracts to circumvent the rules. Even more subtle, but just as filthy, are the contracts that change job names in order to secure salary increases that include undeserved perks, that put in terms and conditions to take advantage of the country. Nobody does this for “thank you”. Not even for family and friends. They do it for kickbacks. They do it for commissions. They do it for, “one hand can’t clap” favours in return.
Unless we start recognising corruption when we see it, and standing up against it wherever it is to be found, we are just good, old-fashioned hypocrites motivated only by vulgar partisan politics.