Bharrat Jagdeo, the Vice-President of Guyana, has expressed his support for publication of the names of individuals who have failed to declare their assets to the Integrity Commission. He registered his support during a press conference held today at the headquarters of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), located at Freedom House on Robb Street.
Jagdeo, who also serves as the General Secretary of the PPP/C, revealed that he had consulted with Gail Teixeira, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, and confirmed that PPP/C parliamentarians are not in default of their asset declarations. He inferred that the 17 defaulters must belong to the Opposition.
Furthermore, Jagdeo highlighted that members of the previous government, A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), failed to submit their declarations for three out of the five years they were in office, spanning from 2015 to 2020.
Under the Integrity Commission Act, which was enacted into law in 1997, it is mandatory for all individuals holding public office or involved in public life to declare their assets or provide financial declarations to the Integrity Commission. This requirement extends to Members of Parliament as well. The Integrity Commission receives, examines, and retains all submitted declarations and related documents, and conducts necessary inquiries to ensure accuracy.
Jagdeo further emphasized that publishing the names of defaulters would dispel any speculation in the public domain and definitively identify individuals who are refusing to declare their assets. This move aims to enhance transparency and accountability among public officials and strengthen public trust in the integrity of the country’s governance.
As the debate surrounding asset declarations continues, it remains to be seen how the publication of defaulters’ names will impact the political landscape and hold accountable those who have failed to comply with the Integrity Commission’s regulations.