Several months ago, the GRENADA TODAY reported on some rather strange happenings at the Physical Planning Unit (PPU) that is under the watch of Finance Minister, Anthony Boatswain.

The report as carried in this newspaper clearly suggested that there was not only corruption within the department but an act of fraud that might necessitate the intervention of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF).

After weeks of silence, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Lennox "Toes" Andrews announced that the matter would be investigated. That is all we have heard from the powers-that-be in the ministry on the issue.

This newspaper is now calling on those with the authority to make known to the public the findings of their investigations.
If no wrongdoing was committed by anyone in PPU then the government has a responsibility to inform the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

This issue is central to good governance, which is an important pillar in any democratic society. Too many times, those in authority adopt the position that in time the people would forget whatever wrongdoing took place in the country.

This is done on the basis that our people have short memories and after a week or two of fussing and fighting, the issue will soon blow over and it is back to normal as usual.

The press in a democracy has a pivotal role to play in keeping the power that-be in check and make them account for all of their actions that are taken in the name of the people.

If not the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance but the Minister himself, as well as the Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell should come forward and inform the nation whether there was corruption inside Physical Planning and no fraud was ever committed by any of the officers.

In the past, Dr. Mitchell has challenged anyone in Grenada with information and knowledge of corruption to bring it to his attention and the matter would be dealt with speedily. This newspaper did take up the invitation and brought to the attention of not only the head of our government but also the entire nation about certain questionable activities inside that particular department of government.

The report of alleged wrongdoing in PPU provided an excellent opportunity for the government of the day to put its money where its mouth is on the issue of corruption.

GRENADA TODAY would hate to believe that no serious investigation took place into the issue because of suspicion that the culprit(s) have strong links within the ruling New National Party (NNP) administration.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance might also come under the microscope in light of reports within certain political quarters about his role with the regime. Less than a month ago, one of the deputy political leaders of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP), Reynold Benjamin dropped a strong hint on a certain popular radio programme about a particular senior public officer who attended a meeting of the current administration. A word to the wise is sufficient.

It is sad that so many of our senior civil servants who ought to know better allow themselves to be used and abused by the political directorate of the day. They do not seem to understand that politicians come and go but the government always remains.

And some of these public officers are seemingly bent on competing with their political bosses in the corruption arena.
Is it any wonder that we are hearing today about the amount of questionable deals involving civil servants and politicians on the sale of Crown land? If the Keith Mitchell government is committed to stamping out corruption then it should start looking into the sale of government lands in recent years.

There are widespread reports of some government officials including civil servants making a fortune with purchasing Crown land at below market price and selling it in short time and making exorbitant profit. Our information is that two persons that served in the diplomatic field for the NNP purchased government lands in the south of the island and used it to cash in on a fortune.

There is also an individual who served in one of the most senior positions in the service buying Crown land for next to nothing and then selling it for in excess of $400,000.00.

If we are serious on making a dent on corruption then these are the issues that need to be urgently tackled by this government. It is our sincere hope that a new government would have the resolve and commitment to re-open some of these questionable land transactions involving the abuse of the State and take the appropriate action.

And those who are benefiting from this scheme are either directly involved with the current NNP regime or have their friends and family members in certain positions. The Prime Minister of St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves responded to a similar problem in his country by withholding the pension and gratuity of former government members and also revalued the lands and made the culprits pay the difference.

When will the corruption ever stop in our fair Isle of Spice?