SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY_GET INVOLVED

Given the recent revelations in matters relating to government expenditure, procurement and programme implementation it is understandable that there is an increase in the demand for public disclosure of decisions, processes and procedures. Clearly there is a dire need for social watchdogs, agencies that are not resident within government. The oversight of the conduct of the nation's affairs has to be external since it is evident that original intent of parliament to “be transparent” has been defeated in several instances in key areas of governance.

For now, independent oversight in Trinidad and Tobago is limited to private organisations and interest groups such as 'The American Chamber of Commerce' (Amchatt), 'Fixin' TT and the 'Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute'. The extent to which these entities can enforce action by government and public officials depends on the level of social involvement and perhaps the level threat of legal recourse and pubilc demonstrations. The following is merely an insight into the importance and effect of social accountability and parliamentary oversight. Hopefully this will act as a precursor to extensive debates among academics and continued public engagement.

Social accountability, according to the World Bank Source Book can be defined as the obligation of power-holders to account for or take responsibility for their actions. In this context power-holders refer to those who hold political, financial or other forms of power and include officials in government, private corporations, international financial institutions and civil society organizations (CSOs). The right to demand accountability is a fundamental principle of democracy, disclosure is therefore a right, not a privilege. Thus far, citizens' right to information surrounding decisions that can impact socially and which affects the public purse seem to be recognised only after robust and legal persistence. Nevertheless, it is a necessary feature of democracy, a key tool in preventing and managing corruption.

The system adopted by Trinidad and Tobago in its fight against corruption involves a framework of domestic legislation, policy initiatives and special institutions, together with international conventions, multilateral and bilateral treaties. This was noted during an oversight visit by a team from the Organisation of American States to Trinidad to Trinidad and Tobago during the period 1-4 October, 2012. It was further observed that there is an anti-corruption framework mechanized by domestic legislation:     

• The Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, Chap. 11.
• The Central Authority of T&T
• The Extradition (Commonwealth and Foreign Territories) Act, Chap. 12:04 -
• The Prevention of Corruption Act, Chap 11:11
• The Proceeds of Crime Act, Chap. 11.27
• The Integrity in Public Life Act, Chap. 22:
• The Freedom of Information Act, Chap. 22:02
• The Police Complaints Authority Act, Chap. 15:05 and (at least five oversight bodies)

1. Integrity Commission
2. Office of the Auditor Genera
3. Service Commissions
4. Office of the Ombudsman
5. Ministry of the Attorney General:

Within the Ministry of the AG is  the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau (ACIB) 

The Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago established the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Accounts Enterprises Committee (PAEC) via the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 1998. This amendment enabled the House of Representatives or the Senate to appoint Select Committees or Joint select Committees referred to as “Watchdog Committees” to investigate and report to Parliament on the powers and methods of functioning of, and criteria adopted by:

• Service Commissions in Trinidad and Tobago;
• Ministries and Departments of Government;
• Statutory Authorities; and
• Enterprises controlled by or on behalf of the state or in which public money is invested.

These Committees are charged with the responsibility to examine the appropriation accounts of moneys granted by Parliament to meet the public expenditure of Trinidad and Tobago and to examine the audited accounts of all State Enterprises that are owned or controlled by the State. How successful have these oversight Committees been in effecting the principles of accountability, transparency, openness and access to information held by public bodies? Might the answer lie in our current state of governance and public affairs?

END OF PART 1.

2013-2018 http://www.ttparliament.org/documents/2218.pdf
http://www.ttparliament.org/documents/2205.pdf
http://www.worldbank.org/socialaccountability_sourcebook/PrintVersions/Conceptual%2006.22.07.pdf