Speaking at the Integrity Commission’s Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December, the Governor Peter Beckingham highlighted the importance of the smallest countries like Turks and Caicos getting more involved in good governance.
“While it may be natural to associate corruption with some of the biggest countries or organisations in the world, like FIFA, it is important that even the smallest countries have a role to play in setting an example. TCI is no exception.”
The Governor noted that, in a recent publication by journalists of the London Times on corruption in FIFA, it was reported that TCI’s Ms Sonia Bien-Aime, the Caribbean Representative on FIFA’s Executive Committee, had returned a gift valued at several thousand dollars at a FIFA function. “Unlike other delegates” the Governor said “Ms Sonia Bien-Aime didn’t hesitate to return the watch she had been presented, given its substantial monetary value. By doing so she demonstrated that, representing TCI, she was not to be bought. It was a fine and laudable example.”
The Governor noted other ways in which elected representatives of Turks and Caicos could set an example to society as a whole. He remarked that, quite correctly, Cabinet Ministers and officials had recused themselves from discussions in Cabinet where there was a risk of personal interests clashing with those of the country as a whole. “Absenting themselves was the correct thing to do, and I hope that their example will be followed by all politicians of whatever persuasion. I am also pleased that the Declaration of Interests is now taken so much more seriously as a living document for the country.”
The Governor concluded by applauding the work of the Integrity Commission, especially its work in highlighting among schools and other groups the importance of integrity in public life. “The Commission” he noted “is unique in TCI in having a responsibility to shine a light on good governance, integrity and anti-corruption. This is inevitably a difficult and sometimes challenging role” the Governor said, “but with the inspirational leadership of its Board, whose work I applaud, TCI is beginning to stand out in the region as something of a model on how to organise a successful anti corruption body”.
