‘Corruption must be more broadly defined’ – Hon J. Alvin Christopher
He was speaking as one of the panelists on the PEP’s radio show heard on Monday evening February 23, 2015 on ZBVI 780 AM.
“One of the things a lot of people get up and ask about [is] corruption in Government, and most people associate that - and it is so - it has to do with stealing of money or doing things that are not appropriate. But corruption has a much broader connotation,” he said.
“If you operate in a democracy, a democracy is a country of laws and individuals are empowered by laws in order to carry out certain responsibilities in the public’s interest and if you deviate from those principles and laws that you are guided by in order so that someone else can get a better opportunity of having a tender go where you want it, that is corruption,” he pointed out.
“So the minute that any empowered officer appointed or elected begins the process of deviating from the laws that govern you without following the legal procedures for whatever reason – it could be for personal interest, it may not be for personal interest – then you are going to have to explain to the public clearly what your objectives and motives are and it becomes open for persons to speculate and say what they think,” he said.
He said that the Government’s responsibility at all times is to have an open and transparent and accountable system in whatever they do so that the public could follow exactly what the processes are.
Recently, First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie labelled the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government the most corrupt in the modern history of the Virgin Islands and called them morally and politically bankrupt.
He made the scathing remarks during the delivery of his First District Annual Report on Saturday evening January 24, 2015 at the Capoon’s Bay Recreational Grounds. Present with him was Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3).
“This government has been the most corrupt government in the modern history of this Territory,” Hon Fahie said. “They have repeatedly used this Territory as their personal piggy banks; and they have refused to adhere to the principles of good governance,” he had said.
The NDP administration has still not properly debunked Hon Fahie's allegations.
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20 Responses to “‘Corruption must be more broadly defined’ – Hon J. Alvin Christopher”
Have you seen the gravel making its way up by the church, a situation that will go straight up the Black Point if not stopped. Look at the old cars strewn across by the bridge and the boats parked along the road that looks so unsightly. Tell us what you can do to improve this area and stop using words like "corruption" to distract people from your non-representation of the Second District.