Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Our Readers' Opinions
June 22, 2010

Was integrity legislation used as a club just to hammer the NDP?

Tue, Jun 22, 2010

Editor: The Unity Labor Party (ULP) listed integrity legislation as one of its main plank in its 2001 manifesto to be implemented if they gained favour with the Vincentian electorate. The ULP has been favoured twice at the polls since; and so far, the much touted integrity legislation has disappeared completely from the ULP lexicon.{{more}}

If my memory serves me correctly, the Ottley Hall fiasco, among others, was the fulcrum around which this much talked-about integrity legislation was hinged. The ULP government, primarily PM Gonsalves, must be given kudos for his relentless effort and dogged determination in seeking redress in getting the reduction in the debt that Ottley Hall posed for Vincentians born and unborn. Surely, this issue was like an albatross around the neck of the entire nation.

Whether Ottley Hall is resolved in whole or in part, it is the epitome of official corruption the likes of which has not been seen in the annals of politcs in SVG. Could we see another Ottley Hall in SVG or some other official corruption that may make Ottley Hall pale in comparison?

PM Gonsalves did a patriotic job of saving the nation millions of dollars in debt that Ottley Hall stood for. He is well positioned to put the infractuture in place to forestall future Ottley Halls and save the nation from greedy and rapacious politicians who will perpetuate the cycle of entrenced poverty that has historically plagued SVG and other island states.

Some may say why would PM Ralph Gonsalves introduce legislation that may come back to bite him? I say Gonzie has heightened the awareness of the nation as it pertains to corruption and he has fought to restore integrity to the process. We therefore look forward to him introducing integrity legislation so we can hold future politicians’ feet to the fire while at the same time keeping him honest and simultaneously preventing the nation’s coffers from being plundered when a government is in transition, among others situations.

Dr Ralph Gonsalves is a keen student of history. He is even more aware of his place in not only Vincentian politics but his role in fashioning a better Caribbean. In my view, introducing integrity legislation is a critical area where he can make a difference, particular in the light of issues involved in the recent elections in Trinidad and Tobago where his friend, Patrick Manning and the PNM, lost badly,

allegedly because of corruption and autocratic rule.

To be sure, the current unrest in Jamaica where it is alleged that the ruling party of PM Bruce Golding is in bed with the drug kingpin Christopher “Dudas” Coke, further strengthens the need for integrity legislation not just in SVG but throughout the Caribbean. Certainly, integrity legislation without proper enforcement mechanisms is toothless and a waste of time. But to not have any laws in place to hold politicians accountable for their penchant for massive corruption schemes or outright thievery is tantamount to “economic terrorism” or even being an accomplice to such ruinous and unpatriotic behaviour.

General elections in SVG can be called anytime now. PM Gonsalves asked the nation some years ago for two terms. Are we going to see a third term of another Gonsalves administration without any form of integrity legislation in place? Was the integrity legislation used as a club just to hammer the previous NDP government for what the ULP deem official corruption?

Put the legislation in place now and let us independently examine the activities of all parties, particularly when they hold the reins of government. If the ULP government is squeaky clean, it should have nothing to worry about. Vincentians must hold the ULP’s feet to the fire and vote with the promised integrity legislation of 2001 in mind.



Mulraine Richards

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Villa woman in  hospital after being stabbed over 20 times
    Front Page
    Villa woman in hospital after being stabbed over 20 times
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Police are said to be carrying out investigations into the stabbing of Rafia Sardine, a 20-year-old female of Villa. Reports are that Sardine, a FLOW ...
    RSVGPF most hacked of gov’t agencies
    Front Page
    RSVGPF most hacked of gov’t agencies
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    In St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), an analysis has found that the most hacked government entity was the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Polic...
    Event staged locally to mark Africa/ Caricom Day
    Front Page
    Event staged locally to mark Africa/ Caricom Day
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Leaders of Governments and institutions from countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the continent of Africa, gathered at the weekend for ...
    PM, proud of his constituents
    Front Page
    PM, proud of his constituents
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is proud of the persons in his constituency who continue to aim for higher education. Dr Gonsalves is the parliame...
    Van conductor to be sentenced for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend
    Front Page
    Van conductor to be sentenced for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    A van conductor, who beat his five- months pregnant ex-girlfriend after she refused to get back with him, has been remanded pending sentencing. Onez J...
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    To the haunting timeless reggae melody of Jimmy Cliff’s classic ‘Journey’, Curtis King, who was selected as the candidate for the Unity Labour Party (...
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    To the haunting timeless reggae melody of Jimmy Cliff’s classic ‘Journey’, Curtis King, who was selected as the candidate for the Unity Labour Party (...
    Steel wielding Lowman’s Hill man to be sentenced tomorrow
    From the Courts, News
    Steel wielding Lowman’s Hill man to be sentenced tomorrow
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    A Lowman’s Hill man who struck another villager in his head with a piece of steel will know his fate tomorrow, September 10, 2025. Kevin Roberts, 25, ...
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    News
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Climate Change Resilience Network (CCRN) in collaboration with the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) recently embarked on a disaster preparedness initia...
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    News
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, is to obtain three more Heamodialysis machines as part of the revolution in the healthcare secto...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok