Editorial
The unfolding events surrounding Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Energy, Gregory Bowen has once again brought to the forefront the need for parliament to pass as quickly as possible and to give teeth to the Integrity in Public Life and Prevention of Corruption Bill.
The legislation, once approved and passed in Parliament, should be adequate enough to deal with corruption and graft by persons engaged in public office.
It defines corruption as, "an act committed by a person that is inconsistent with his or her lawful duties .... by unlawfully and wrongfully using his or her influence, office or character to procure some advantage for himself or herself or for another person and includes bribery, fraud and other related offences...".
In the specific case of "Bribery of Member of Parliament", the bill forbids our parliamentarians from soliciting or accepting "any gratification as an inducement or a reward for his or her doing or forbearing to do any act in his or her capacity as a Member".
Any member of Parliament who is found guilty of breaking the law "is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment".
GRENADA TODAY is weary of all those allegations being made against senior members of the New National Party (NNP) administration including Prime Minister Mitchell himself and now his deputy, Gregory Bowen.
In the absence of meaningful legislation to deal with corrupt public officials, the public is right in saying that "dem big boys accustom thiefing and not getting lock up".
Enough is enough and time to tackle the issue. This is why this newspaper fully supports and endorses the views expressed by local attorney-at-law, Anselm Clouden for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), to carry out an independent investigation into the allegations made against Gregory Bowen.
The charges as levelled by Mr. Grynberg against Mr. Bowen in his capacity as Minister of Energy is indeed a very serious and grave one.
It is on par with the allegations made against Prime Minister Mitchell that he collected US$500, 000.00 in Switzerland in June 2000 as bribery payment from international con-man Eric Resteiner in exchange for a diplomatic position.
The country cannot rely on the mere words being uttered by Minister Bowen that the issue is not true and that Mr. Grynberg is trying to get back at him since he (Bowen) was getting on his back to really perform with the oil and gas agreement that he signed with government in 1996.
This may be true but Mr. Bowen's credibility is already on the line in light of the open and blatant lie he was caught in mid-air trying to tell the nation on his own involvement in the oil deal.
And the longer Mr. Bowen takes to clear the air on the evidence that is now before all and sundry, the public jury would continue to foreclose on him.
It is indeed sad to see the deafening silence from our religious and civic leaders including the trade unions, private sector groupings, non-governmental organisations (NGO's) and so-called Faith-based groups on the Bowen saga.
These groups can no longer sit on the fence and pretend that nothing is wrong in the Isle of Spice and there is no need for them to speak up on issues that touch at the heart and soul of the nation and the moral fabric of the society.
Our suspicion is that some of the church leaders and others in leadership positions in the country have already comprised their independent positions with the political directorate of the day.
There are some in our midst who are more concerned and preoccupied about earthly possessions like maintaining the duty-free concessions that they have to get from government on the importation of cars and other vehicles.
It is now proving extremely difficult for these leaders and their supporters to voice opposition against many of the wrongs of the sitting administration for fear of losing these concessions that are put before them in the usual "carrot and stick" manner.
It is important for some sanity to prevail in the society and for the rule of law, accountability, transparency and good governance to be brought back into the public domain.
This is why question marks must be hung around the necks of some of the leaders in civic society who remain so silence and allow the Prime Minister to get away with his silly statement that there is more corruption taking place in the private sector, legal profession and public service than among his Cabinet of Ministers.
This is nothing but an open admittance by Dr. Mitchell that the NNP is corrupt. It is also sending a dangerous signal to the country and that one should keep their mouths shut about corruption.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions must be given a free and open hand similar to what took place in Trinidad and Tobago with former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday and his corruption case to help clean up the mess in our society.
No one is saying that Mr. Bowen is guilty of any criminal offence but a serious allegation was made against him in court papers filed in the United States.
It is only proper, fair and fitting for the DPP Office which is supposed to be an independent creature of the Constitution to look into the Bowen matter in the interest of good governance and accountability. If nothing is wrong so be it.
But it appears that in Grenada, there are two different sets of laws - one for the anti-NNP people and another set for those who support the Mitchell dynasty.
This was quite clear and evident in the so-called corruption case that was brought against former Opposition Leader Michael Baptiste when he parted ways with the NNP regime.
This newspaper had information that months before the police were ordered to charge Mr. Baptiste that certain elements within the NNP leadership were mouthing off with certain Caribbean Prime Ministers that the former Opposition would be dealt with in time for the 2003 general elections.
Mr. Baptiste is more than anxious for the case to be heard in a free and open court in order to clear his name of any wrong-doing but the State no longer seems interested. Is this what democracy is all about?
