Christie wants more than lip-service in corruption fight

BY ALICIA DUNKLEY Observer reporter dunkleya@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, December 02, 2011

IN the wake of the latest ranking by the global anti-corruption watchdog — Transparency International — in which Jamaica scored 3.3 out of 10 in the 2011 Global Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Contractor General Greg Christie says Jamaicans must demand major changes or face stagnation.

According to the CPI index, a score of 10 is the least corrupt and one the most corrupt.

"It should now be abundantly clear to all Jamaicans that unless they demand monumental changes in the country's existing moral, ethical and legal anti-corruption codes, and in its approach to the co-joint issues of transparency, accountability and good governance in the administration of the affairs of the Jamaican state, 10 years from now we will still be at the same place, talking about the same things," the contractor general said in a statement yesterday.

Transparency International, in the global rankings released on Wednesday night, ranked Jamaica 86 out of 182 countries. In 2010, the country's CPI score was also 3.3, while it was ranked 87 out of 178 countries.

According to Transparency International, the recent measurement indicates that nothing has changed over the past year which would lead the international community to accept that corruption is being effectively fought by the Jamaican state.

Yesterday, Christie, who pointed out that in the past 10 years Jamaica has never scored higher than 4.0 on the CPI, said "the time has long passed for those who aspire to lead the Jamaican state to go beyond making mere lip-service statements about their intention to fight corruption. They must publicly state in lucid and specific terms, the practical steps that they are prepared to take to effectively bring an end to corruption in Jamaica, and the respective time frame within which these steps will be implemented."

Only this Wednesday Prime Minister Andrew Holness, addressing party supporters in Alligator Pond during a road tour, declared that he will not seek to cover up any form of corruption in his Government, but will instead take firm and decisive action.

"If there are things wrong in our Government, we are not hiding it because we don't stand for corruption," Holness said. You have a leader who takes firm decisions when it comes to that, and that is what the Jamaican people want; it means as your leader, that is what you will get — strong and decisive leadership," he added.

The prime minister's pronouncement came a day after the Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry resigned following the special audit report of Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis which rapped the Ministry of Transport and Works and the National Works Agency for several irregularities and questionable actions under the controversial US$400-million Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme which she said undermined the Government's original intention for the project.

In the wake of that report, the prime minister stripped Henry of the responsibility for the JDIP and placed it under

the watch of his office. Head of the National Works Agency Patrick Wong was also another casualty of the fallout. Yesterday, permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Alwin Hales proceeded on vacation leave which he requested to allow for further investigations.

The CPI ranks countries according to their perceived levels of public-sector corruption. The 2011 index draws on different assessments and business opinion surveys that are carried out by independent reputable institutions. The surveys and assessments that are used to compile the index include questions which relate to the bribery of public officials, kickbacks in public procurement, embezzlement of public funds, and questions that probe the strength and effectiveness of public sector anti-corruption efforts.

Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana were the only countries in the English-speaking Caribbean that were ranked lower than Jamaica. Trinidad received a CPI score of 3.2 and a country ranking of 91, whereas Guyana was scored at 2.5 with a country ranking of 134.

Barbados, The Bahamas, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica, all scored significantly higher than Jamaica at CPI rankings of 7.8, 7.3, 7.0, 5.8 and 5.2 respectively.

New Zealand was ranked as the least corrupt country with a CPI score of 9.5, while North Korea and Somalia were both ranked at the other end of the 182-country scale with CPI scores of 1.0.

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COMMENTS (22)

Jair GM
12/2/2011

A small point on our progressive depression into corrupt practices. The Shell waiver scandal for sums close to $30 million saw a huge gnashing of teeth because ostensibly Shell was given a waiver of duties. Recently the IMF came down on Audley Shaw for not stamping out the granting of waivers to the private sector. Can anyone on here recite how much money has been lost through waivers this year or over 4 years? I'll be kind and say its quadruple 30 mil, YET IT IS NOT A SCANDAL!

Jamaica Unite
12/2/2011

I am sorry for disagreeing here, but can anyone actually show me exactly how this was a case of corruption? what the Auditors report revealed was that they gave contracts without going through the proper channels! I am seeing a case here of mismanagement! they have money in the loan which was clearly negotiated and most likely approved by both parties involved and Mr. Wong acted upon it and refurbished his agency and bought furniture... where exactly is the corrupt part? can someone show me?

diehardr sickheads
12/2/2011

curruption in jamaica means any activity that make the ordinary little man eat a food and survive wether legal or illegal.If you take this away man a go dead fe hungry this is how the little man think.the difference between the jlp and pnp is jlp make small number of big men eat nuff food .pnp make the ordinary man hustle more food.not sure any of these good for jamaica

Luv Quest
12/2/2011

There was the NetServ scandal, where the Govt paid out more than $200 m to the failed IT Company despite reports which warned against doing business with the firm. There were allegations of corruption and mismanagement at the NHDC, a $35 m overpayment on Operation Pride housing project.
PNP SCANDALS
Shell Waiver (1991) $29.5 M
Zinc (1989) $500 M
Furniture (1991) $10.6 M
Public Sector
Salary (1998) $60 M
NetServ (2001) $220 M
Oper Pride/NHDC
(1997-present) $5.5 b projected
TOTAL $6.320 billion

Luv Quest
12/2/2011

The Shell waiver scandal, for example, which occurred under the leadership of former Prime Minister Michael Manley, resulted in a $29.5 million waiver on duties to the Shell Company in 1991. This led to the resignation of then Finance Minister P.J. Patterson from the Cabinet. Some $60 million also went down the drain in the public sector salaries scandal, where a number of top executives of Government agencies were paid various allowances above stated guidelines. Pay attention comrades more…..

Luv Quest
12/2/2011

From 1989-2002 the PNP have had at least 6 major money scandals. The Govt has been plagued by revelations of corruption and mismanagement which have led to the loss of substantial sums. The zinc scandal of 1989, some $500 million of hurricane relief zinc from overseas destined for poor people were diverted to political favorites. The furniture scandal; which involved more than $10 million being spent to furnish, among other places, a town house for the then Minister of FA and FT, Mr. Ben Clare.

ghost rider
12/2/2011

Luv Quest, show me yours and I'll show you mine. In the meantime do you remember why the PNP was booted from office? Remember B.G. and the JLP promised to fix it, so why is it that every time you get caught with your hands in the cookie jar you keep speaking about PNP excesses.
You said you would fix it man; fix it. A bad workman blames his tools. How long are you going to blame the PNP for your actions?
When the indictments come down who will you blame then?

RED ANTS
12/2/2011

@Luv Quest.You better save the tears for election night.
@demus one.I concur with your postings.

ghost rider
12/2/2011

D.T in another post story today you said MH should have rightly resigned, but why didn’t we have a post from you before calling on him to resign, if that is the way you felt about him? How can you kick a comrade…….sorry, a friend when he is down?
Why are you ppl so afraid of criticism or against anyone asking questions? You have obviously forgotten when AS found a crook behind every bush with his spy glass. Did you hear the PNP whining then?
Talking of CC being back, why don’t you insist that M.H don’t run again? That would be showing P.M. strength. We are taking CC back because we don’t want you to snatch him like you did Hay-Webster. Remember how you used to cuss her?

St. Ann
12/2/2011

@Eagle Eyes. All you worried about is "SUNDAY DINNER SPECIAL" typical laborites all they care about is what they're eating for dinner. Eagle Eyes its chicken you have your eyes on, our focus is on education so we can afford to have lobster for dinner, you content with chicken, no wonder you don't have any ambition. LOL.

wanda woeman
12/2/2011

@J. Brown give me your email address and let me send you some JLP corruption after only 4 years.
After 18 years all you can talk of is Trafigura and in 4 years the U.S. took away the visa of a minister, a P.M. and a powerful minister had to resign all before the end of of 1 period.
Incidentally the corruption index is measured every year, so it doesn't take 10 years to move up, JUST 1 YEAR.
The Observer might not publish but in other countries many of these people would be wearing short pants.

Will Will
12/2/2011

The people of Jamaica must strive for zero tolerance when it comes to corruption amongst Government officials of the country. The people must reach out and report acts of deceit, graft, and theft of Government resourse. The reporting of offences must be done regardless of who holds the reign of power. The highest ministers must not be above reproach. I would also recommend that the OCG be expanded and all major contracts signed by the Government over the past 5 years be thoroughly scrutinizedscrutinized. The books of all awardee of contracts should be audited to ensure transparency. If corruption is not checked, it will spread like cancer and eventually destroy whatever is left of a just Government.

PL BOGLE
12/2/2011

@Carlton James. Unfortunately, its people with the likes of you, that made Jamaica the way it’s.
Why should we “start adopting new ideas from abroad”? The problem is we do not regard what we’ve.
And this is the foundation of our weakness, we should have our own ability to innovate, or create new trends.
Instead of adopting corrupted ways, that is costing the world, around $2.6 trillion a year (more than 5% of global GDP). We’re too dependent on foreign input.
@Jay.Corruption wants a Company, not a Country.

John Brown
12/2/2011

Wong - scape goat #1, get baby fine, Shaw-free to continue, Hales-vacation. Henry-stripped of JDIP, then says temporarily. Henry-says resign, Holness-says Henry fired. Someone is not telling the truth. Until corrupt puplic servant/politicians are sent to jail and get heafty fine$, they will continue to do as they please. Leaders and the people must step-up and hold them accountable everytime. ACTION time, no more lip service. 10yrs we'll be worst off if we continue on the same path. GUARANTEED!

Luv Quest
12/2/2011

The PNP not only governs the country for a longer period, they also had many scandals and were not held accountable at all. They are so use to the lack of accountability that they are coming up with every reason not to be transparent on the Trafigura scandal. PSM was in power for 17 months and gave us Trafigura and the light bulbs scandals. Jamaicans if we put the PNP back in power it will be “dooms day for JA” they are not even half ready to lead. They gave us 18½ yrs of corruption. No More!!

Eagle Eyes
12/2/2011

Jay Brown, I am in agreement with you totally. However, if the Jamaican Electorate should EVEN think of returning them, WE HAD BETTER BEGIN TO ALIGN OURSELVES WITH GRASS EATING. And even that will prove to be scarce under their Governance. When the going was good they drove us to the making of CHICKEN BACK our SUNDAY DINNER SPECIAL. So, Do you believe GRASS EATING is out of the realm? They would tell us that it's VEGETABLE. The members of the PNP should be DUMPED & I MEAN DUMPED.- GARBAGE!

demus one
12/2/2011

So Jay Brown the PNP made the JLP corrupt. This way of thinking is why the country is in such a mess blind leading blind. Both parties are corrupt and untill we as jamaicans stop finding stupid excuses to suit our politicals biases this country will never be better. A lot of us put party before country as far as I am concern anyone who try to find any excuse for a corrupt party or government is a part of the problem not the solution.INDEPENDENT THINKERS IS WHAT WE NEED.

J L
12/2/2011

We live in a corrupt society, it’s not just Govt. It exists in every corner, don't need to list the various bodies, organizations, associations. Most of our business and politics is centered on or against who we know and who we like or dislike, not what is right. Perception of corruption even exist in the so-called fight against corruption.

Carlton James
12/2/2011

Unfortunately Jamaica is seen as Ignorant and backwards in the eyes of the world, Corruption is all over the planet but in Jamaica it is too "In Your Face" lets face it we gain independence in 62 and have doen nothign with it, Jamaica has been nothing but the spoilt child that is tolerated by the rest of the world. Lets start by removing the old die-hards and start adopting new ideas from abroad because nothing new is coming out of Jamaica Polics wise.

Justin Wright
12/2/2011

This is the same ole politics by Holness, talk and no legal square, no serious projection of rules in place, nothing. A minister with too little knowledge of so many money mishaps in different departments of govt and he walks. Holness is the same old alli button, he covers for Shaw, put party first, and poor Jamaica last. No one really cares for Jamaica, such a nice country, such nice people. Yet, this PM by default has shown no quality that sets him apart. S. Robinson appt is a disgrace.

RED ANTS
12/2/2011

Mr.Christie if you want to see changes in the system you will have come into politics one way or the other and be the head of any political group you choose,I don't know if you would join these culprits or form your own party but under your current portfolio you will not get the support from the politicians or the politicized government boards or offices in which to improve Jamaica's credibility.

Jay Brown
12/2/2011

The PNP left us so deep in corruption after 18yrs of rule, that it will take no less than 10yrs before we start moving up the corruption index.
A vote for PNP today is a vote for increased corruption, mismanagement and run wid it policies. Add to that further destruction of the financial sector, agriculture and manufacturing

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Christie wants more than lip-service in corruption fight