Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira on Friday mounted a robust defence of Guyana’s anti-corruption framework, rejecting suggestions that the country lacks adequate safeguards and accusing political actors of selectively condemning corruption while supporting individuals facing serious allegations.
Speaking during the National Assembly’s consideration of questions posed by We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Teixeira said Guyana’s anti-corruption architecture is built on a broad legislative foundation that continues to evolve through reforms, institutional strengthening and international cooperation.
She stressed that Guyana already possesses an extensive body of anti-corruption legislation and oversight mechanisms, dismissing claims that the country requires a single comprehensive law to address corruption.
“Guyana has more than 15 laws that deal with corruption and accountability issues, and we continue to modernise and strengthen them as circumstances require,” the minister told the House.
Teixeira highlighted the Procurement Act as one of Guyana’s landmark governance reforms, noting that the legislation removed ministers from the procurement process and became a model subsequently adopted and adapted across the Caribbean.
According to the minister, Guyana’s legal framework, together with its oversight institutions, has created a system capable of investigating and prosecuting corruption-related offences.
The debate intensified when Teixeira referenced several matters currently before the courts, including proceedings involving WIN leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
The minister argued that political leaders cannot credibly advocate against corruption while simultaneously defending or protesting on behalf of individuals facing legal action.
“You can’t say you are against corruption but support people when they are charged and brought before the courts. You cannot have it both ways,” Teixeira asserted.
Her remarks came as Sarabo-Halley pressed the Government on the effectiveness of its anti-corruption agenda and the outcomes of various governance initiatives undertaken since 2020.
Teixeira also turned attention to compliance with asset declaration requirements, questioning why some elected officials had not fulfilled their obligations to submit declarations to the Integrity Commission.
She reminded the House that members of Parliament are legally required to disclose their assets and liabilities upon entering office and maintained that accountability must begin with public officials themselves.
The minister disclosed that the Government intends to bring amendments to the Integrity Commission Act before Parliament as part of efforts to strengthen compliance measures and enhance the body’s effectiveness.
Addressing questions about measurable achievements, Teixeira pointed to a series of reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability across the public sector.
These include expanded digital governance systems, enhanced cooperation between anti-corruption agencies, stronger public education campaigns, greater collaboration with the private sector, and improvements in compliance and enforcement mechanisms.
She further revealed that Guyana recently completed its second review under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), describing the country’s performance as positive.
The findings of that assessment, she said, will be made public upon completion of the review process.
Teixeira also cited Guyana’s participation in regional and international anti-corruption initiatives, including the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), noting that the country’s progress continues to be monitored under international standards and treaty obligations.
She said institutions such as the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the Auditor General’s Office, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Integrity Commission have all expanded their capabilities through improved databases, stronger investigative tools and enhanced technical capacity.
While acknowledging that changing attitudes and governance culture takes time, Teixeira maintained that Guyana’s anti-corruption systems are becoming increasingly effective and internationally recognised.
The minister was also asked whether the Government intends to establish an independent asset recovery and corruption investigation agency similar to the former State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA).
Teixeira rejected the suggestion, describing SARA as an unsuccessful model that consumed significant public resources while failing to produce meaningful results during its period of operation.
She argued that the agency failed to secure investigations or court actions despite substantial expenditure and criticised aspects of the legislation that established it, saying it granted excessive authority to the agency’s leadership.
Although ruling out any return to the SARA model, Teixeira said the Government remains committed to establishing additional anti-corruption mechanisms in the future, drawing on international best practices and lessons learned from Guyana’s own experience.
“We will continue strengthening the framework, but any future anti-corruption body must be effective, accountable and fit for purpose,” she said.