Taylor: Government can’t be extravagant or corrupt
(CNS): Cayman Islands Governor Duncan Taylor has told civil servants that they must reassure the public that the government was neither “extravagant” nor “corrupt”, and while he has constitutional responsibility for promoting good governance, he has limited power to enforce it, relying on influencing public servants to do the right thing. Speaking yesterday at a “Lunch and Learn” session on good governance, part of a week of specialized talks organised by the Commissions Secretariat, Taylor said it was “fundamental” that government develops business cases for major undertakings. He said this was a key part of the procurement process, which should encompass analysis, planning, competitive tendering, evaluation and monitoring.
Taylor's comments come in the wake of government's recent announcement that, after four years of avoiding the correct process for the cruise berthing facilities, a 'request for proposals' had been circulated to find a consultant to do such a business case.
Taylor said that business cases should form the basis of government’s Invitations to Tender and should ideally also be made public.
“We must keep trying to raise standards and reduce risks … a reputation for integrity is critical, and is what will attract more people and investors to Cayman’s doors,” Taylor told the group of civil servants one day ahead of the announcement that he will be leaving Cayman this summer and heading to Mexico as the UK ambassador.
“We must reassure the public that government is not extravagant or corrupt. Good governance is about having clear, open, objective and transparent processes in place – and ensuring that they are followed,” added Taylor. "These values relate to staff appointments and procurement but apply in other areas, too.”
The presentation also covered the challenges relating to preventing conflicts of interest and concluded with a question and answer session for the civil servants present. This speaking series is designed to clarify the linkages between the Constitutional Commissions and government operations, government officials said in a release.
Category: Politics
Was he talking about this government? That is our modes operandi come on man can’t we have a little fun?
Caymanians reputaion for integrity was criticle when they trashed it. Now their new reputation will be how bad they take being the losers. No surprise that the NEW governments solution to better business is to remove (kick out) skill and experiance and force Caymanian business to hire and pay for its non skilled and nonemployable voters. Good luck making that work for the islands. Destroying what little businesses Caymanians are successful at now is the new push. Its like watching Stevie Wonder drive a truck on the highway with headphones on. The only question left is how bad will the next crash be?
"Taylor: Government can't be extravagant or corrupt"
I think this must be a misstatement. I'm sure he meant, "Government SHOULDN'T be extravagant or corrupt".
1) Governments are a reflection of the society they represent!!! If the public don't mind, it don't matter!!
2) He is saying to us, "vote with your brain!!! not emotions and greed.
Never before has it been so apparent that HONESTY and INTEGRITY has been on trial in this country. And yet here we stand at a crossroad with corruption and inept leaders fighting to maintain power and other wanna-be politicians licking their chops to get their share of the economic pie.
Caymanians you better wake up and stop being fooled by promisses. Look at the personal lives of some of these people running for office. XXXX
I think he saying elect the Progessies !!!!!!!!
Someone who does not know what “extravagant” means.
Sadly a lot of civil servants wouldn't recognise a conflict of interest if it jumped up and bit them on the a$$ and some of those that do recognise conflicts of interest seem to be convinced that the rules don't apply to them.
Actually, I must disagree. There are those of us who see many "questionable" things going on. When we mention it, we are told by someone higher up to be careful as we are walking on thin ice!!!
For example the civil servant who owns a video production company and then contracts himself to provide services to government
Smart. Very smart.
Civil servants are worst than politicians
It would be a huge step forward if all civil servants were required to obey the law.
Soft encouragement simply is not working. Time to fire and demote those that don't follow the law.
So sorry to see this Gov go – he was a good bloke with a good heart working in probably the most difficult times Cayman has had, and with the first and worst Premier possible. The Gov only wanted good things for Cayman and his advice here to the government is sound and well-intended (although why they would need to be advised on what should be common sense I don't know, but clearly it is necessary).
A man who understands his role. The big guns are in UK, message being, behave and do it properly or get direct rule. Quite right too.
Well said Gov. Taylor. I wholeheartedly agree. Thanks for steering us through this difficult last 4 years. Sorry to see you go, but I wish you the best on your future appointment.