By Stabroek News
Copyright stabroeknews
Dear Editor,
Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond recently underscored that corruption does not reside only within the security sector, but can be found wherever human bias and discretion prevail. She also noted that the government’s digital transformation agenda is a powerful tool to address this challenge. I wish to expand on this point and emphasize why digital transformation is not simply about technology, but about creating systems that close the very gaps where corruption tends to thrive.
Firstly, digital records and e-services reduce face-to-face interactions between citizens and officials. In many areas, such as processing drivers’ licences, firearm permits, business registrations, or land titles, discretion in manual processing creates opportunities for bribery. Online application systems, digital payment gateways, and automatic tracking reduce such risks by limiting the ‘informal negotiations’ that often occur in physical offices.
Secondly, digital tracking introduces accountability through audit trails. Every step in a digital workflow can be time-stamped, logged, and reviewed. For instance, if a police officer issues a traffic ticket, or an immigration officer approves a passport application, those actions are digitally recorded. This transparency makes it easier to identify irregular patterns, such as repeated approvals for ineligible applicants, or sudden ‘fast-tracking’ of certain cases.
Thirdly, data integration across agencies can expose conflicts of interest and fraud. When information from tax, customs, police, and licensing systems is linked, it becomes much harder to conceal illicit activities. For example, digital customs records can automatically flag import declarations that don’t match tax filings, reducing smuggling and revenue leakage.
Fourth, citizen-facing platforms can empower the public to monitor services. Online dashboards that publish real-time statistics, such as average processing times, number of licences issued, or police response rates, create public accountability. Citizens can then hold agencies to their own performance standards, making corruption harder to hide.
Finally, whistleblowing platforms enabled by digital systems can protect anonymity and speed up investigations. When citizens can safely and securely report misconduct online, cases of bribery or abuse are more likely to surface.
In short, digital transformation is not only about efficiency, but about creating ‘digital guardrails’ against corrupt practices. By embedding transparency, traceability, and accountability into everyday transactions, we can ensure that trust in government institutions is strengthened.
The government has already announced its firm commitment to fighting corruption, and digital transformation is critical to achieving that goal.
Dr. Walter H. Persaud
