Ministry of Home Affairs Citizen Security Programme Overview of ipaidabribe.gy Presented by: Floyd Levi – IT Specialist, CSP.

I Paid a Bribe

Background  In response to many complaints of public sector corruption which was driving up the cost of doing business in Guyana and negatively impacting on the social well being of citizens. MoHA implemented a web based anti corruption initiative.  Guyana’s I paid a bribe website (ipaidabribe.gy) is patterned after similar initiatives in countries such as India, Kenya, Greece, Pakistan, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.  The original I paid a bribe concept was developed by the Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy of India which sought to tackle corruption by harnessing the collective energies of citizens.  The Ministry of Home Affairs embraces the philosophy of engaging citizens in the fight against corruption since we believe that by providing such a forum, Guyanese of all walks of life can join the debate on corruption within our society.  (cont’d)

AIM  Heighten citizen awareness about the nature and spread of bribe related activities and promote a public debate that pressures public officials to reduce and eventually eliminate corruption.  Help citizens to recognize, avoid and tackle bribe paying situations.  Identify and analyse the workflows within corruption prone public services, to make suggestions on systemic reform directed at entrenching simpler and more transparent processes, more consistent standards of law enforcement and better vigilance and regulation.

Information Usage  The information placed on the ipaidabribe.gy website is not meant to name and shame any public official nor is it intended to be used for criminal prosecution; as such citizens using the site can do so anonymously.  Information collected on the site will be used to advocate for improved governance systems and procedures, tighten law enforcement and regulations and thereby reduce the scope for corruption in obtaining services from the Government.

Sample Reports Department: N/A Transaction: Complaints Bribe Type: personal Payment Method: cash Details: officers doing routine checks on Mandela avenue behind botanical gardens stopped me for a check after finding no faults insisted that I leave money with them for their hard work After checks found no issue I was asked for money Reported : July 2, :16 | Ministry/Agency : Guyana Police Force Paid On : June 30, 2013 | N/A

Sample Reports Department: RoseHall Outpost Transaction: Crime Reports Bribe Type: personal Payment Method: other Details: Recently I had my goods stolen..after two weeks of constant enquiry we were able to locate the perpetrators with the stolen articles..had them arrested only to be told that they were all place on station bail without any charges against them..the police have all their confession together with some of the goods and still no proper justice..why are the innocent always the ones to pay...made me think that the guys that took matters in their own hands did something good..when you work diligently to keep your business together and then have those things stolen...it gives you a rude awakening to whats really the reality of how much protected you are as a citizen Crazy place Reported : May 29, :09 | Ministry/Agency : Guyana Police Force Paid On : November 30, 1999 | RoseHall Outpost PAID1

Sample Reports for work permit Reported : May 2, :09 | Ministry/Agency : Ministry of Home Affairs Paid On : April 17, 2013 | Immigration Support Services PAID50000 Department: Immigration Support Services Office Location: gt Transaction: Work Permit Bribe Type: corporate Payment Method: cash Details: pay girl at customer support for fast work permit to finish in one week

Sample Reports payment for work permit Reported : May 18, :30 | Ministry/Agency : Ministry of Home Affairs Paid On : May 8, 2013 | Immigration Support Services PAID Department: Immigration Support Services Office Location: brickdam Transaction: Work Permit Bribe Type: corporate Payment Method: cash Details: apply at the ministry for work permit the counter staff took me in a room and explain if i want to speed up the process for the brazos i must paid somthing i ending paiding 120 thousand for speeding of 4 work permit

Sample Reports GRA Bribe Reported : May 17, :07 | Ministry/Agency : Guyana Revenue Authority Paid On : January 8, 2013 | Excise Licencing and Motor Vehicle Registration PAID18000 Department: Excise Licencing and Motor Vehicle Registration Office Location: Georgetown Transaction: Vehicle Registration Bribe Type: personal Payment Method: cash Details: *******

Sample Reports bribe paid at GRO Reported : May 29, :05 | Ministry/Agency : General Register Office Paid On : January 1, 2013 | N/A PAID10000 Department: N/A Office Location: GRO gt Transaction: Birth Certificates Bribe Type: personal Payment Method: cash Details: I paid ten thousand dollars at GRO in order to get a new certificate of birth all because I have lost mine.

Sample Reports GPL scunt Reported : June 6, :18 | Ministry/Agency : Guyana Power and Light Incorporated Paid On : January 30, 2013 | N/A PAID5000 Department: N/A Transaction: Reconnection of Electricity Bribe Type: personal Payment Method: cash Details: i went 3 days without electricity and after the emergency crew came to fix it they said they wanted me "left" something with them....as soon as the money touch the man hand, he give the thumbs up *Jesus said let there be light*

Sample Reports Cheddi Jaan International Airport. Red cap attendant demands extra fees. Reported : May 19, :25 | Ministry/Agency : Ministry of Public Works Paid On : April 5, 2013 | Office of the President PAID2000 Department: Office of the President Office Location: Cheddi Jagan In Transaction: Payments Bribe Type: personal Payment Method: cash Details:I was returning to Toronto on April 5,2013 around 3.30 am with my spouse,my son and my mother who was in a wheel chair. We had 7 pieces of Luggage. The red cap guy demanded I pay him $ otherwise I will be in serious problem.I look at the fee chart it it clearly states it was $ per luggage which I pointed out to him but he insisted that that was wrong and he can make me loose my flight. I comply because our journey was a long one and we were already exhausted and did not want to miss our flights as threatened. I can point out the individual if I see him again. This non sense needs to be stop. On my next return I can point out the individual to the airport authorities. I hope the Govt weed out these corrupt individuals. Thanks for this *******

Summary of IPAB Reports Received I Paid A Bribe Summary of Reports to for the period May 2013 to Sept 2013 AgencyTotal 1. Airport (Red Cap)1 2. Airport Security1 3. CANU (Airport)1 4. CANU (Brazil Border)1 5. Complaints6 6. GPF (Driving License)2 7. GPF (CID)2 8. GPF (Traffic)21 9. GPL2 10. GRA (Licenses & Permits)1 11. GRA (MV Registration)1 12. GRA Compliance1 13. GRO1 14. Home Affairs (Firearm License)1 15. Home Affairs (Work Permits)5 16. National Accredation Council1 17. T&HD2 18. Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce1 Total51

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