'Leave Christie alone'

BY ERICA VIRTUE Sunday Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com

Sunday, July 11, 2010

GOVERNMENT and Opposition members, upset with Contractor General Greg Christie over his fearless efforts to root out corruption, will be hard-pressed to find resistance to his work among private sector interests, who have hailed him as a beacon of integrity in Jamaica.

"Greg Christie's work is absolutely critical to the democratic process. He may be uncomfortable to live with, but we need him," said Dr Carolyn Gomes, executive director of Jamaicans for Justice, the local human rights lobby group of international repute.

Gomes said his integrity is unquestionable and his legal skills are sound.

"I can only judge him by his action and his relentless pursuit to stamp out corruption. One thing I know also, he has never tripped up on a legal point. So, for those who don't want him, remove him and we will see what, and who you really are. I guarantee that any such move will be an indictment on this country and what we stand for..." she said.

The Government is said to be fuming over his unannounced visit to the Ministry of Mining and Energy, where he seized computers and e-mails regarding the liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal announced by Minister James Robertson three weeks ago. The Office of the Contractor General (OCG) is currently investigating the deal.

Opposition members are also said to be fuming over Christie's various findings, including his conclusions into the sale of Air Jamaica slots at London Heathrow Airport. The contractor general concluded that former finance minister Omar Davies had interfered in the process.

But president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Joseph Matalon said Jamaica needs high levels of accountability at this time.

"As far as I am concerned, the higher the levels of accountability we can achieve, the better it will be for our country. Therefore, such an office (the OCG) is very important to our development right now," he told the Sunday Observer.

Christie's investigations and findings into the infamous Sandals Whitehouse Hotel project stunned the former administration and led to public condemnations by the then Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in Opposition.

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Shields is also highly supportive of Christie and his office.

"He and his office represent integrity to the highest order and that is what Jamaica needs. Greg Christie has my total support. He may appear overzealous but that criticism is likely to come from those with an agenda..." he said.

Shields, one of several British cops recruited to Jamaica to work with local cops, but who is now a member of the private sector, said the island needs individuals like Christie to restore its international reputation.

"I supported him 100 per cent while I was deputy Police Commissioner, and still do as a member of the private sector..." he said.

Public commentator and radio talk-show host Richard Crawford said, "any removal or contemplation of his removal would be an act of madness".

"It would be total mass administrative and political suicide not to have him there. It would mean we do not wish to have Jamaica become an honest, well-managed and productive country," Crawford said Friday.

The OCG is the state's leading institution in the quest to ensure that the public sector procurement process delivers value to the taxpayer. It is merit-based; free from corruption, impropriety and irregularity; and is transparent, impartial, competitive, fair, efficient and effective.

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'Leave Christie alone'