ITEC asks President Richards to review functioning of IC

The Indo Trinbago Equality Council (ITEC) has written to President Max Richards asking him to use his powers to review the functioning of the Integrity Commission (IC).

In his letter ITEC chairman Devant Maharaj said while his organisation appreciates that there was a time where there was no functional Integrity Commission, "we are now deeply concerned that the present Integrity Commission is at a virtual standstill regarding investigations on these important matters."

He noted some of the matters sent to the IC by the council:

• October 3, 2008: a complaint against the Police Commissioner re: Illegal Protest outside Woodford Square
• February 2009: complaint against Minister of Finance re CL Issue
• May 15, 2009: complaint against PM Patrick Manning re: Abu Bakr Affidavit
• June 5, 2009 : complaint against AG John Jeremie re: Disclosures to Dr . Rowley, 30th November 30, 2009: complaint against Minister of Foreign Affairs re: asking public officers to attend a PNM function via official correspondence
• December 1, 2009: complaint against Minister of Culture re: secret scholarships
• February 26, 2010: complaint against the Prime Minister re: Church
• May 4, 2010: complaint against PM re: State Advertising during elections
• May 18, 2010: complaint against Minister Swartsingh re: particular properties.

"ITEC is anxiously awaiting responses and status updates on our complaints. It is clear that some of these complaints are well over a year and the unreasonable delay can provide opportunities for evidence to be destroyed," Maharaj told President Richards.

He added, "Some of those whom complaints have been made against including the former Prime Minister and Commissioner of Police have now demitted public office, and ITEC is fearful that the Integrity Commission may only arrive at a decision when these persons whom complaints have been made against dies."

Maharaj said "it is inexplicable to the reasonable man" how a complaint made in October 2008 remains unresolved some two years later.

He said it compares similarly to the Maha Sabha complaint, which took some four years to be dealt with. "Clearly these inordinate and unacceptable delays are indicative of a deeper systemic problem which the Integrity Commission lacks the will to deal with and as such the Commission demands an immediate review," he wrote.

He said ITEC is unaware of any public or private appeals by the Commission for additional resources to assist in any investigation or to further augment the strength of the Commission.

Maharaj added that ITEC is "confident" that with the new Peoples Partnership Government's disposition against corruption "they would readily lend resources to the Commission should such a request be made."

He said, "ITEC is fast arriving at the inescapable conclusion that the members of the Commission are more concerned about the politics of appearance and public perception or with camouflaged party politics by their failure to act."