Government vows action if corruption is uncovered 

By Val Matthias. Updated 7:23 a.m., Monday, September 21, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday says any corruption uncovered through his government’s assessment of state-owned enterprises will be dealt with, as the administration moves towards possible further investigations.

Speaking at a town hall meeting with members of the Vincentian diaspora in New York on September 20, Dr Friday said his government was taking a “methodical and systematic” approach to examining how the state has been managed.

He said a two-member rapid assessment team was appointed shortly after his administration took office to examine public enterprises and state-owned companies.

The team initially reviewed 12 entities, with a report submitted to the Prime Minister about three months ago.

Dr Friday said the team has since completed its assessment of the remaining public enterprises, although he has not yet reviewed the latest report.

He said the initial assessment had identified matters requiring further investigation.

“Where the information and the evidence lead, we will follow,” Dr Friday told the gathering.

The Prime Minister said the purpose of the exercise was not to target individuals but to identify problems within the operation of government, correct them and establish accountability where warranted.

“We are looking for ways in which things have functioned so that we could correct the things that went wrong, so that we can hold accountable those persons who need to be held accountable,” he said.

Dr Friday also rejected calls for investigations to be driven by political deadlines, saying his administration would proceed on the basis of evidence.

He said the government had promised accountability and would deliver it by following the record.

The issue of alleged wrongdoing under the previous Unity Labour Party administration was raised repeatedly during the town hall.

The Prime Minister cautioned against making public accusations before the facts had been properly established, arguing that previous investigations had, in his characterisation, failed because they began from the wrong premise.

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About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]