A Year Without Integrity Legislation
Within the coming days, it will be one year since the BLP administration has tabled the Integrity in Public Life Bill. Since then, there were numerous parliamentary sittings and several bills that have become law. Yet, the integrity legislation languishes as it has not been passed to be signed into law. The Integrity in Public Life Bill would establish an Integrity Commission that would examine the asset declarations of high level public servants. These declarations would allow the commission to detect instances where conflict of interests may arise between these public servant’s private interest and the public good.
Barbados still susceptible to corruption.
Despite the merits of the bill and continued concerns about integrity, in its absence Barbados remains susceptible to public sector corruption. As a result, by and large the public’s defense against corruption hinges upon the personal integrity of senior public servants, rather than legislative and institutional regimes. The absence of these regimes are problematic since the public ought not to be reliant on the hope that public servants will act in the public’s interest rather than act avariciously.
Integrity legislation and the economy
Ensuring the public’s interests are met is of particular relevance due to government’s fiscal adjustment programmes which can be undermined by corruption. Through various initiatives, government has shown its commitment to the fiscal targets conditioned by the International Monetary Fund. However, due to the inertia regarding integrity legislation, government could be hindering its chances at achieving these fiscal targets.
According to the OECD the estimated cost of corruption to developing countries like Barbados is approximately 5% of GDP per annum. In real terms, if these estimates were applicable to Barbados, corruption could be costing the island half a billion dollars per annum. Therefore, eliminating just a fraction of this cost through anti-corruption legislation could have a significant positive impact on government’s fiscal position and the quality of life in Barbados.
Expedite integrity legislation
With these potential savings in mind, integrity legislation ought not to further languish or to be treated as a political can to be kicked down the road. Since the 1970s, various administrations have given lip service to importance and passage of such legislation. Most recently, under the previous administration, Barbadians have witness the passage of the Prevention of Corruption Bill but the subsequent failure to proclaim it. Within these context, reasonable questions can be raised regarding government’s genuine commitment to integrity if the integrity bill remains in limbo.
Therefore, as government marks one year in office, a prime celebratory opportunity is presented where government can expedite the passage and proclamation of the Integrity in Public Life bill. This will offer a necessary layer of protection against public sector corruption, potentially save the island millions, and set the tone for the remainder of this administration’s tenure.