By Gemma Handy

THE TCI is being probed by a major worldwide anti-corruption group in the aftermath of the international headline-grabbing Commission of Inquiry.

The investigation by the NGO, Transparency International (TI), is expected to see the Islands ranked for transparency in a global list for the very first time.

It is being headed by award-winning researcher Trevor Munroe who has interviewed more than 30 prominent Islanders representing each of the country’s principal institutions.

In an exclusive interview with the Weekly News, Mr Munroe said he had received a “very broad range of views” – and that he would not be afraid to be “forthright” in his findings.

The eminent professor and academic – who has conducted similar inquiries in fellow Caribbean nations – has been charged with scrutinising everything from the legislature and executive to law enforcement organisations, the business community, media and political parties.

“Our purpose is to assess the strengths and weaknesses in each of these institutions. That means doing as many interviews as possible with the people involved to get their views and experience of the capacity and vulnerability of each,” he said.

On Tuesday he concluded his second visit to the TCI during which he met with the Governor and his advisors, the Chief Justice, Attorney General, public and private sector chiefs and media personnel.

He has also interviewed a number of politicians including former Premier and deputy Premier Galmo Williams and Royal Robinson, once Chief Ministers Washington Misick and Oswald Skippings and current PDM deputy leader Clarence Selver.

His quest is to analyse TCI operations from around 2005 to August 2009, when the Islands returned to direct British rule, against the country’s historical and cultural background.

For now he is keeping his findings firmly under wraps.

“I have had a very broad range of views,” he said.

“Until I complete my work I have no opinion on these matters. I will go where the evidence leads me. I am satisfied that everyone I have met has been very forthcoming, honest and frank and I appreciate that very much.

“It all bodes well for the TCI that people are willing to share their experience in a disinterested and objective way.”

But Islanders won’t have to wait too long to read the no-holds-barred report with a draft form set to be released to key stakeholders in September. That will precede the final report in December.

It is the first time the TCI has been the subject of an investigation by the heavyweight NGO which has studied 70 countries around the world.

Mr Munroe said the TCI was one of eight or nine nations, including the UK, to come under the TI spotlight this year.

“The TCI was selected largely because of the issues that arose last year regarding the integrity system here,” he said.

“TI asked if I would be willing to take on this research and I readily agreed.”

To prepare, Mr Munroe had to do extensive ‘desk’ research too which included ploughing through last year’s lengthy Foreign Affairs Committee reports.

In addition to identifying strengths and weaknesses in public life, the 65-year-old University of the West Indies (UWI) professor will make a series of recommendations.

Some of the guidance he proffered following a 2003 review into his native Jamaica is being put into action now.

That includes a recommendation that political parties in the notoriously politically volatile nation should no longer be run as private entities.

“I suggested they be registered under political party registration law which would require them to publish accounts and to receive a level of public funding as a public institution,” Mr Munroe explained.

Although the TCI will not be mandated to take up any of his advice, Mr Munroe’s report will certainly have some clout.

“Transparency International is regarded as the most prominent and prestigious international organisation dealing with corruption issues,” he continued.

“Every year it publishes a corruption perceptions index in which all the countries in the world are rated and ranked.

“This is a standard measure used in the international community to have an assessment or evaluation of the level of corruption.”

Traditionally, overseas territories have not been included in the index. But that is set to change.

“I will be recommending that territories including the TCI have a special ranking within the annual index. I think it would be appropriate.”

He added that his investigation was an institution-centred probe and would not focus on individual people or specific allegations.

Mr Munroe, who also holds a Ph.D from England’s Oxford University, has been a professor at UWI for the last 40 years and is considered an expert on governance and anti-corruption issues. He is a recipient of the university’s Principal’s Award.

In addition, he is an acclaimed author and the director of Jamaica’s National Integrity Action Forum (NIAF), a network of public and private sector leaders who head anti-corruption institutions in the island nation.

TI was founded in 1993 to fight corruption by raising awareness, diminishing apathy towards it and implementing practical action to address it.

Today it comprises more than 90 chapters across the world and has played a lead role in improving the lives of millions.

Its corruption perceptions index has been published annually since 1995. The 2009 list cites turbulent Somalia as the worst offender and New Zealand as the least corrupt.

TI defines corruption as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.”

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