misconduct in public office and bribe taking.Over the years

nice6boyt7

A draft Code of Conduct that will determine how ministers and public servants behave while in office is to be released for the input of all Guyanese, Government announced yesterday.According to Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, the draft document has been completed but will not be adopted until it has been made public.Questioned about the code yesterday, during the post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency, the Minister said that Government is aware that there will be harsh criticisms but rather than being accused of legislating itself, the administration preferred to take the correct route.“We believe it should be opened up for public comment, criticism, critique and to be distilled and refined. Hopefully, coming out of it we get a stronger document.We (the administration) thought it would be better to share it because failure to do so means you will be legislating for yourself and you run the risk of a natural bias to lessen harshness, and being accused of doing just that,” Minister Trotman explained.It is hoped that within a few weeks the document will be refined. Trotman said that already, members of Cabinet stand bound by the contents even though it has not yet been ratified in a public way.The code of conduct was announced in late July, weeks after the new administration took office.It will be used as a guide for not only Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs), but also for holders of public office.The code of conduct will address issues of transparency and corruption, misconduct in public office and bribe taking.Over the years, the behaviour of public officials has attracted very little action or sanction despite persistent allegations.The new administration had vowed to pass laws that ensure sanctions against guilty persons.The Ministry of Governance had been looking at best practices that prevail in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and even Africa.The regulations will be adjusted to fit the Guyana situation.