No one is essential. But there are people who are doing such a good job that it would be a pity to see them pack their bags and go if their experience can benefit Mauritius. Yet, the arrogance and unwelcoming attitude of some Mauritians have led the customs comptroller to hand in his notice as he felt he would never be given the opportunity to do his job as he thinks it should be done.

Now that Bert Cunningham is threatening – more than threatening actually, as he has taken action – to leave the country, there seems to be a consensus that he has done a good job and that he should be persuaded to stay. Apart from the unions, which would be more than happy to see him leave, all politicians and members of the business circles have expressed their support to the customs comptroller and are trying their utmost to make him change his mind.

Ahmed Parkar, the chairman of the Mauritius Export Processing Zone Authority (MEPZA) insists on the fact that efficiency and transparency have not been vain words at customs since Cunningham's arrival. The way EUR1 certificates are now issued has drastically changed. Many procedures have been simplified to facilitate EPZ exports. Danielle Wong, president of the Port Users' Council, regrets that some of his initiatives will not come to fruition if he decides to go.

Cunningham's fight against corruption has been relentless and the icing on the cake is the sum of more than Rs 1 billion - some say more than two billion - that entered the state coffers in terms of additional taxes and customs duties last year. But the unions do not think all this can be put only to his credit. “The resignation of Bert Cunningham is the result of a struggle, which started long before his arrival in 2001 to give this post to a Mauritian,” declared Tulsyraj Benydin, president of the Federation of Civil Service Unions and of the Customs Officers Union. He insists that many Mauritians have the skills and competence to do the job but makes it clear that he is not against all foreigners. “The director general of the MRA is from Pakistan and we get on very well with him. We have had bad industrial relations with Cunningham and we could not go on like this.”

Tulsiraj Benydin considers that the good reputation Bert Cunningham enjoys in some sectors is due to the good work done by customs officers. Likewise, the additional gains are due to an increase in value added tax.

Bert Cunningham has always said that he had difficulties doing his job because “black sheep” within his profession always got in his way. Although he has always conceded that these “black sheep” were only a minority, he declared that they were powerful as they benefited from the support of some heads of the customs department. Bert Cunningham has never revealed the names of these customs officers but the fact that drugs and illegal weapons continue to get into the country may prove him right.

<I>In spite of all these difficulties, Bert Cunningham always said he would stay in Mauritius and would not give in to blackmail. His goal was to “clean the kitchen”.</I>

In spite of all these difficulties, Bert Cunningham has always said he would stay in Mauritius and would not give in to blackmail. His goal was to “clean the kitchen” - not only the profession but also the country - from scourges. However, the appointment of Naimduth Bissessur as a director of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) must have been the last straw. Relations between the two men were never very good and Cunningham considers him as one of those who have prevented him from doing his job.

As for Bissessur, however, he does not understand why Cunningham had such a reaction. “He can’t ask for my dismissal. It is unacceptable and I do not deserve such a reaction. Our tasks will be different and I won’t put a spoke in his wheel.” He adds, “If there were any evidence that I am a corrupted man, I don’t see why people have not been to the police or to the Icac to denounce me.” Moreover, he insists on denying rumours that his brother-in-law, Dhiren Dabee, a member of the MRA board, has favoured him. “It is all too easy for him to say that I have taken advantage of my relationship with him to obtain the post.”

Since he felt that the appointment of Bissessur to the MRA was unacceptable, Cunningham would have refused any appointment offered to him in that institution. What the customs comptroller sees in Bissessur’s appointment is the “lack of a national will to fight fraud and corruption”. How would he be able to do his job if the authorities do not themselves believe that he has the proper attitude?

<I>What the customs comptroller sees in this appointment is a lack of national will to fight fraud and corruption. How can he do his job if the authorities do not believe in him.?</I>

The prime minister was quick to react to this, as he said, “it would be good if we could convince him to stay.” The minister of Finance, Rama Sithanen, was entrusted with this mission and consequently refused the comptroller’s resignation.

If Bert Cunningham keeps his stand, he will leave the country for his native Canada on the 16th December. Though he declared, after his meeting with the Finance minister, “I never say never!” other reasons are now coming to light– one being that he and his family may have received threats… Will he change his mind and face the murky waters? Only time will tell…