Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. (TIGI) on Wednesday weighed in on the recent decision to promote Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh’s wife as an Audit Director of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), arguing that it amounts to a conflict of interest that can erode public confidence in the entity.

Mrs. Gitanjali Singh’s appointment was among several recently green-lighted by the Public Accounts Committee when the government used its temporary majority to rush through its desires. That occurred when Alliance For Change (AFC) member of the PAC, Trevor Williams arrived late from Essequibo.

When contacted late Wednesday night after a sitting of the National Assembly, the Finance Minister declined to comment on the matter.

TIGI has echoed similar concerns raised by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the AFC.

The non-governmental organisation, which has previously engaged government on corruption and transparency issues at public fora, said it “is extremely concerned at the recent promotion” of Singh.

“As a result of this appointment, a critical role in the oversight of the financial statements of the country has been entrusted to the wife of the Minister responsible for preparing them.

The auditing process by definition requires insulation from the subject of the audit, a consideration which has been completely ignored by this incestuous appointment, which is in turn likely to undermine the effective performance and operation of the OAG,” TIGI said in a statement.

TIGI noted that Mrs. Singh’s appointment flies in the face of the constitutionally created OAG – a public office that has been mandated to uphold and preserve the highest standards of independence and integrity in the discharge of its constitutional functions.

“TIGI is of the view that a serious conflict of interest has arisen both in professional terms and in the eyes of the public,” the organisation states.

Against the background of the need for promotions and appointments to public office to eschew nepotism and/or the perception of nepotism, TIGI publicly advised Mrs. Singh of the possibility of taking the honourable and moral course of action by declining this appointment.

According to the NGO, both the Minister of Finance and his wife are bound by standards of professional conduct laid down by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana, to which they belong. A central rule of professional conduct mandated by these bodies relates to conflict of interest.

“TIGI is of the view that the retention of Mrs. Singh as Audit Director is likely to adversely affect the credibility of the OAG and will undermine public confidence in such an important independent office created by the constitution – the supreme law of Guyana,” said the organisation.

TIGI wants President Donald Ramotar, the Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee to remedy this situation in order to ensure good governance, greater transparency and enhanced accountability.

Noting that acting appointments are inimical to the independent and fearless performance of their functions by public officers, TIGI wants the President toappoint substantively an Auditor General after due consultations with key stakeholders

The people of Guyana are entitled to expect that the OAG and, indeed, all public institutions to operate in accordance with the highest standards of professional and personal ethics.