by Linda Straker
- Government approved about 48% of funds requested by Integrity Commission
- Only EC$275,000 approved for Office of the Ombudsman
- Budget for anti-corruption agencies allocated under budget of Parliament
Two institutions established by Government to combat corruption among public officials will receive less operating funds for the next fiscal year, according to the 2024 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.
The Office of the Integrity Commission aims to improve governance by ensuring integrity in public life. The expenditure for 2023, including projects for donor funding, was EC$1,519,256. The management requested EC$1,815,146 for 2024, but the Government approved only $868,000, or approximately 48% of the amount requested.
The Commission, which lawyer Gillian Bristol currently chairs, was established to ensure that public officials uphold high standards of integrity in their public functions and to give effect to the provisions of The Inter-American Convention against Corruption. It will assist in improving the standards of good governance, transparency and accountability in Government.
Also receiving reduced funding is the Office of the Ombudsman. The current Ombudsman is Ronnie Marryshow, and his office, according to the legislation establishing that office, states the office has the power to investigate complaints from aggrieved persons about maladministration by government departments and agencies, and public bodies, and to initiate direct investigation into issues of potentially broad public interest and concern.
The office requested budgetary support of EC$360,847 for 2024, but only EC$275,000 was approved. The Standing Committee on Finance, also called the Finance Committee, comprises elected members in the Lower House or House of Representatives. One of its primary responsibilities is to approve the Government’s budget. During the 13 November 2023 meeting, no members on the Opposition side attended.
The budget for the two anti-corruption agencies is allocated under the budget of Parliament. The Finance Committee’s minutes did not explain or justify the reduction in budgetary support.
