“Citizens must not only hear of the war against corruption. They must also see evidence of it.” By Kiana Wilburg “Citizens must not only hear of the war against corruption. They must also see evidence of it. Therefore, government’s approach to this cancer must be intense in word and action.”Economist,Cheap Jerseys China,Dr. Clive ThomasThis is the opinion of economist, Dr. Clive Thomas who recently commented on the intentions as well as the efforts being made by the new administration in rooting out corruption.He noted,Buy Cheap Nike Air Max Shoes, however, that government must also place emphasis on modernizing Guyana’s anti-corruption laws. He said, too, that it is imperative for the APNU+AFC administration to start working towards getting its investigative commission on corruption up and running. He reminded that the party vowed during the 2015 election campaign season that this would be done within 100 days of being in office.The financial commentator made this statement, among others, during an exclusive interview with this newspaper last week.“The issue of corruption and how devastating it can be to the economy cannot be underestimated. It’s an epidemic in Guyana and the task is now up to the new government to rectify this. But stopping corruption won’t be easy. It requires modernizing our legislation, because what corruption has now evolved to today is not covered in some of our laws. We also need a Commission or Steering Committee that will be dedicated to seeing the laws adhered to, and those disregarding it, punished.”The economist expressed that for the time being, the law provides for criminal penalties for official corruption. Several laws cover various aspects of corruption, including the Integrity Commission Act, the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, the Audit Act, and the Criminal Law Enforcement Act.He said that for too long, “many engaged in corrupt activities and are yet to do the time. That should not be. We need to get serious. We need to be resolute and practical about our approach to the matter.”The columnist said that with regard to APNU+AFC’s intended Investigative Commission on Corruption, it should be complemented by a Steering Committee that will look at the needed improvements to the anti-corruption laws.He suggested that such a Committee should have close relations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc., and the Guyana Bar Association. He said that these bodies are all important links in identifying where corruption takes place and how to intensify the fight against it.He added that government can also solicit help from the international conventions against corruption.Dr. Thomas reminded that it was under the previous administration that Guyana became a signatory to the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. He said that the treaties allow for Guyana to receive technical assistance on approaches that will be effective when dealing with corruption.Dr. Thomas articulated that incorporating the international community into the process would lend more credence to the exercise.“It would also prevent people from saying it is just another partisan witch-hunt. I am against all forms of corruption. We need to put systems in place to prevent the reoccurrence of the kind of corruption that existed under the previous administration.‘I don’t want the people I support politically to be involved in corrupt activities, and the best way to do this, is by putting in place the laws and mechanisms to guarantee its enforcement so as to prevent those persons there now from being tempted somewhere along the line.”Dr. Thomas also asserted that the fight against corruption in all its forms will be made stronger with the involvement of the international corporations.“With the help of the anti-corruption conventions we signed on to, we can get help in monitoring offshore accounts in some territories. Other countries are doing this like China and the USA who are partnering to find and prosecute corrupt officials trying to stash ill-gotten wealth in varying countries,Cheap Hockey Jerseys,” he added.He noted that a significant proportion of economic transactions in Guyana are inspired by criminal motivations. He said that among these are repeated instances of general corruption and fraud, generating and distributing proceeds from organized crime, illegal capital flight,Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic, tax evasion and foreign currency substitution (US dollar) in day-to-day transactions.Based on a study he conducted over the period 2001 to 2008, Dr. Thomas found that the underground economy yields a size of approximately $188B or US$940 million. He estimated that the public procurement frauds, which took place under th