Letter of the Day | Build institutions that reduce corruption

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I share Sujae Boswell’s recent sentiments, in his letter to the editor, on the importance of stronger institutions. However, I would add another dimension: Institutional strength is not only measured by the laws we pass or the agencies we establish. It is also reflected in how easily ordinary citizens can access the services and justice they require.

Public policy teaches that corruption is also shaped by institutional design. When government processes are lengthy, unclear, and overly dependent on discretion, they create opportunities for unofficial shortcuts because delay itself becomes valuable.

Corruption can begin to appear as a shortcut when citizens are trapped in inefficient systems. When people must navigate repeated visits, uncertain procedures, and unexplained delays, the temptation grows to find someone who can “move things along”. The issue is not that people suddenly abandon their values. It is that the system has made efficiency a scarce commodity.

A visit to the Tax Office can consume an entire day. Court matters can take years to resolve. Businesses and homeowners waiting on approvals, permits, and other administrative decisions often bear significant costs as time passes. Every additional week can mean lost income, increased expenses, and missed opportunities.

When formal institutions become too slow, people naturally seek alternatives. Some rely on unofficial intermediaries who claim that they can speed up processes. Others may seek preferential treatment. More concerningly, when the justice system cannot provide timely resolution, communities may turn to informal forms of authority, including dons and area leaders, to settle disputes. Where the State struggles to deliver timely justice, other actors often step in to fill the vacuum.

The solution is smarter institutions. Agencies such as the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency have demonstrated how digitisation, online appointments, and clearer service standards can improve the relationship between citizens and the State. People respond positively when government services are predictable, accessible, and transparent.

Investing in digital transformation will simplify procedures and create clear timelines for public services. Where appropriate, legally established expedited services with transparent fees and safeguards can provide legitimate options for faster processing while reducing the demand for unofficial “grease payments”.

We often speak of corruption as a moral failure. It is also an institutional challenge. Good governance is about designing systems in which honesty is easier, efficiency is normal, and no citizen feels compelled to pay simply to reclaim their own time.

TIMMOY SINCLAIR