‘Go public with it’ – Jagdeo insists corruption must be exposed  

With over 7, 000 government projects under implementation across the country, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said any attempt between public officials and contractors to engage in corrupt practices should be reported to the highest offices in government.

Speaking at a party press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo said 700 road projects alone were awarded by the Cabinet earlier in the day.

With this high volume of work and associated large spending across the economy, Jagdeo believes there may be corruption.

Notwithstanding, he said the Irfaan Ali-led administration is prepared to expose and fight it.

“Earlier this week we found an engineer trying to shake down a contractor,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo said while these instances are hard to track, the government is open to investigating all reports of corruption.

“With 7, 00 contracts under implementation now, we can’t know if a Clerk of Work on a project in Black Bush Polder is asking a contractor for money.

“Contractors need to understand if they comply with this they are not only breaching the contract but doing something illegal.

“They should contact us. Contact the President’s Office or my office or Public Works, it will be treated as a high priority,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo said there are numerous reports of shakedowns, or middlemen promising they can get house lots but said many times the reports are made long after and the culprits are hard to apprehend.

“Don’t give them your money. Every week people come to cry. This is a major issue.

“If you do it and we find out you may not even get a house lot you are eligible for.

“Please don’t go through middlemen. Anybody who says that to you, bring it to the President’s Office or Tender Board.

“Go public with it,” Jagdeo encouraged.

He said these reports should be made at the moment so that sting operations can be set up.

“Don’t come afterward.”