Independent Commissioner for Public Investment and Contract Accountability needed

Dear Editor,

Guyana’s growing economy demands full transparency, clear responsibility and effective accountability for public resources. Citizens should be able to establish who received and receives public money, why an award was made, what its conditions require and whether the promised benefits were delivered. Present contracts must not be exempted.

I propose an independent Commissioner for Public Investment and Contract Accountability to monitor and audit public investments, grants and government contracts from planning and award through completion. Its purpose would be to protect taxpayers’ money, promote fair competition, prevent corruption and secure timely, quality delivery.

Guyana already has a Chief Investment Officer and separate procurement and oversight institutions.^[1] The proposed Commissioner must have a distinct scrutiny and accountability mandate, coordinated with these bodies. Attracting investors, awarding contracts and independently investigating those awards must remain separate responsibilities.

A single, searchable public register should cover ministries, agencies, state-owned enterprises and publicly funded projects. It should identify funding sources, recipients, contractors, beneficial owners, selection criteria, award reasons, contract and grant values, payments, deadlines and variations. Investments involving public land, concessions or guarantees should disclose the public commitments and expected benefits.

Information must be free, understandable, downloadable and available through regional and local offices for citizens without reliable internet. Any disclosure exceptions should be narrowly justified in law, with protection for personal information and a means of challenging unjustified secrecy.

The Commissioner should examine procurement records, inspect projects and verify that payments correspond to independently certified work, goods or services. Substantial price increases, extensions and scope changes should require documented justification and independent review. Every project should have a named official, awardee and/or beneficiary responsible for delivery, and completion.

The office should investigate undisclosed interests, suspicious bidding, patterns of repeated awards warranting examination and evidence of favouritism or political interference. Contractors’ capacity and existing commitments should be checked before awards. Whistleblowers should be protected, and affected parties given a fair opportunity to respond.

Where credible evidence indicates serious irregularity or an imminent loss of public funds, expressly granted legal powers could permit temporary suspension of affected payments or procurement processes. Such action must carry written reasons, strict time limits and prompt independent review.

Suspected offences should be referred to the competent investigative authorities. Recovery of overpayments, contractual penalties and contractor debarment should proceed through lawful, fair procedures.

The Commissioner should have a transparent, merit-based appointment process, a fixed term, protected funding and mandatory financial disclosures. The office should employ procurement specialists, forensic accountants, engineers, lawyers and data analysts.

Its enabling legislation must clearly coordinate its functions with existing procurement and audit institutions, preserve their independence, and provide parliamentary scrutiny and judicial review. Automated monitoring should cover every contract, while intensive audits concentrate on high-value and high-risk awards.

Quarterly reports should explain delayed projects, cost increases, corrective action, outstanding recommendations and verified recoveries in plain language. Public accountability requires demonstrable follow-through when shortcomings are identified.

Every public dollar must be traceable. Every contract must be accountable. Every project must deliver value to the people of Guyana.

References

1. About Guyana Office for Investment | Team, FAQs & Investment Resources — www.guyanainvest.gov.gy ↩