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News
Walker: No intention to avoid OCG’s scrap metal probe
Friday, December 16, 2011
CENTRAL Manchester candidate for the Jamaica Labour Party Danville Walker said that he has no intention of avoiding the ongoing investigations of the contractor general into alleged illegal exports of scrap metal in violation of a Cabinet decision while he was commissioner of Customs. However, Walker said he is being hampered as he no longer has access to some documents.
Walker, who declared in a statement yesterday that he had nothing to hide regarding his actions in that matter, was responding to a statement issued by Contractor General Greg Christie indicating that the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) has formally referred him to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for criminal prosecution for obstructing the OCG’s investigations.
According to Christie, the OCG was confident that its referrals to the DPP are wellfounded. Christie said Walker was issued with a formal written OCG requisition, dated November 18, 2011 requiring him to provide to the OCG by no later than 3:00 pm on December 2, 2011, sworn and comprehensive written answers to a series of specific questions which were posed to him by the OCG.
Christie said that despite receiving two additional extensions in time to midday on December 9 and to 11:00 am yesterday to comply with the requisition, and despite his receipt of four OCG letters which formally cautioned or warned him of the potential for criminal prosecution, Walker had failed and/or refused to comply with any or all of the OCG’s requirements.
But Walker, in his statement yesterday, said the difficulty has been that as he is no longer the commissioner of Customs he does not have access to the files necessary to complete a response to the request.
“Some of the questions would require me to get information from other government departments and I have requested those files through my attorneys... I have every intention of complying with the Office of the Contractor General’s investigation,” the former Customs boss said.
“I fully support the work of the contractor general and have always complied with his requests in a timely manner and I will complete his request in the shortest possible time,” Walker said further.
He said he has referred the matter to his attorneys as he treats all matters with the contractor general seriously and with respect and will continue to do so.
“I have nothing to fear from an investigation into scrap metal exports and look forward to a resolution of this matter,” he added.
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12/16/2011
I agree that a lot of nonsense is going on. We need to stop saying that that other persons are doing it so it is ok when I do it. If we want to live in a better place we should start clean ing up our act. Let 's be a good example so everyone can see.
12/16/2011
For slavery to be successful a few white men mastered the art of "divide and rule" to control an entire continent!
Now our politicians and their lackeys continue the tradition - anyone who identifies a problem against you - paint them as the opposition! The audacity of anyone telling the king he is naked! Paint them and set the tribalists and uneducated unwise people at them.
Shame on you joe robinson and co!!
12/16/2011
Ever since Mr Christie started publicizing his dealings with public officers in about 2006, I opined that he was behaving as if he ran the country. Since the government changed in 2007, I have still maintained this opinion. I have also noticed too that whenever any event results in the limelight being on some other event or person, Mr Christie finds ways to bring himself into the limelight also. Somebody needs to psychoanalyze Mr Christie; my hunch is that he has some kind of mental imbalance
12/16/2011
Everybody except Danville has responded, Danville has gone for lawyers yet 15 other people have responded.
Same with Trafigura, when people go to great lengths not to answer, start blaming the messenger, then you can be sure that they are hiding something.
What is Danville hiding ?
12/16/2011
What a country we live in! Answers to Trafigura can wait until after the elections, 4 years overdue. P Roberts can be a candidate while a gun charge awaits. Heck, Kern is up for a christmas gift; but Mr. Walker have to drop everything to stroke Mr Christie's ego. Don't mind his Lawyer is looking into the matter. It's time we change the way the justice system and its appendages operate. Openess, transparency and equality of treatment for all. Then we can say we are fighting corruption
12/16/2011
If Mr Walker flout the law and get away while he was in charge of customs what will he do as a minister of govt? Thats what worries me! Those who were allowed to continue exporting must have been special. Investigative journalism should reveal names of the exporters and see if they are now financint his campaign. As to the ODPP; we already knows what Paula L is going to say; "there is not enough evidence". The best DPP the JLP has ever had!
12/16/2011
Mr. Walker, Please go to customs and review or get the documents you shaid that you need in order to respond - no excuses please. That should not be difficult.
12/16/2011
@JRobinson, not even the possibility of being deemed an idiot is enough to temper your bias, is it? Walker's defense on this very issue has been to basically say the law doesn't apply to him yet you accuse the CG of being a law unto himself? The CG who would never, in a million years, defend himself like Walker did? What is this? Ironical bias?
12/16/2011
I think once the OCG makes a request for information it should be easy for the person or persons to comply. If for any reason they are unable to comply then a request should be made to the OCG for an extention. Each person should work with the OCG to ensure the request is met. DW should have worked with the OCG and try to get the documents to complete the request, telling the media he will comply is not the way to go. Dont tell us, show us you are clean and willing to help in the investigation.
12/16/2011
Dear Mr. Editor, Sir. Why are politicians aligned to the JLP of late being so rude to the OCG? I had hope that we wouldn't have had a similar episode to that of Warmington or Hibbert but here we go again. Mr. Walker if you respect the OCG as you claim here, wouldn't you've promptly responded to the CG's request for information in furtherance of the investigation? How many weeks do you need to answer questions that you have been dealing with on a daily basis for 4 years? Come on man! Come go
12/16/2011
The CG is in a mad rush to either make a ruling or put out a press release. He seems constrained by the 29th Dec so you can imagine how important it is for him to get what he has asked for right away. Sometimes it is difficult to give the CG credit when it does appear that he has an indeterminate agenda.
12/16/2011
Mr Walker's new-found contrition rings hollow. It is clearly a response to his recalcitrance being made public. And I believe the CG would not have done so if not for the 'facety' letter from Walker's lawyers and a lack of confidence that the PM would be 'decisive' on this issue.
If Mr Walker's lawyers didn't represent his intentions properly he should fire them.
12/16/2011
@Joe Robinson I saw it on the news yesterday and gave it some hard consideration and something is not adding up. I respect Mr. Christie and his achievements however he is on a one-sided corruption campaign. Time will tell Mr. Christie it always do.
12/16/2011
I find it interesting that while other news outlets had the OCG's News Release yesterday, the Observer did not. Instead they now have this headline focusing on Walker. I do not expect them to carry the OCG rebuttal. Surprise me Observer!
12/16/2011
DW thinks he is above the law. He ignores a Cabinet directive on scrap metal exports because he was earning money for the country. He feels he is not bound by ethics by offering the police in his constituency motor vehicles in an effort likely to influence votes. No he refuses to comply with an OCG request and his lawyers send a facetious letter in response. The OCG responded today that there has been no request for an extension to January. Lies by DW? Above God's Law? COMPLY DW, COMPLY!
12/16/2011
Its kinda sad that with a great performance record,you, Mr. Walker , takes the Jamaican people for ....... You had numerous opportunities to respond to the contractor general, but no you sat on you high horse and had your lawyers respond with such authority. perhaps you feel you are above the law..eh? I think you should be charged.The only other reason for coming with gibberish is because your political career is at stake!
12/16/2011
Walker is a proven performer, but I honestly think here that what he is saying is gibberish. For if he had a problem, he should have communicated formally to the OCG and not wait until now to be expressing he has a problem..stupes.
12/16/2011
Even though I know that the Observer will not carry balanced comments, I will write this one anyhow anyhow hoping that they will publish it. The CG is one of the two only public servants in this country that i trust, the other 1 is the AG. Walker has proven himself to be a mischief maker and i do not know why u people seem to want to color the clean man,the CG. Walker shoule be charged, but knowing the fact that the DPP is painted green she might handle this 1 the way she handled the Hibert 1
12/16/2011
Mr. Walker would not have gotten his lawyers to write rude responses to the OCG if his heart was in the right place. He is a public official and there are many clouds hanging over his head, so he should have made certain to respond properly. It is too far along for excuses now.
12/16/2011
Wait did he just say he respects the contractor general and always complies. When the C.G raised this issue initial wasnt his response around wheather the C.G. has jurisdiction to probe him? Rather than address the actual fact being uncovered?... Danville your performance at Customs is slowly being eaten away by the obvious underhand transaction that u did with bug players while tightening the noose around the ordinary man. i agree collect what is due but do it to everybody!
12/16/2011
If you have nothing to hide you would respond already plus there wouldn't be a need for you to hire a lawyer. Danville Walker is a typical Jamaican politician, just like (Bruce Golding & Andrew Holness).
12/16/2011
I have tired to say this more than once I see where Mr. Danville Walker is been touted as Minister of National Security to replace Senator Nelson.....I hope this never comes to pass.
Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte is a far better option.
[I hope this meets the standards of the Observer Mods[
12/16/2011
Yep, it will probably take another international journalist to ferret out the truth of what Walker is hiding. I am so disappointed in our local journalists, they neither have guts or balls. When the concerns were raised, Walker should not have been allowed to go any further without a comprehensive investigation, but no we do things on the reverse.
12/16/2011
There is no doubt in my mind that the CG has done a tremendous job for Jamaica. His contributions to the office held is what Jamaica needs at this time. But i think on many occasions he has overstepped his boundaries, his actions at times seems that he is a law unto himself. No Prime Minister, No Commissioner of police, No JDF Chief , no one in Ja. has the kind of power this man seem to have. One thing for sure in my mind, is that you have proven to have a political agenda.
12/16/2011
I can recall that Jamaican's were singing praises for more of Walker & Christie kind to be in Ja. Is it a grudge or vengeance playing out here? Is the CG publicly showing the colors of his hands? Is it that his ego has gotten the better of him.?Is there an agenda or a motive? I am sure in time Mr. Walker would have responded to him given the fact that he is in a campaign for his life. Not even the President of the U.S has the power this man seem to have & is asking for more.
12/16/2011
I use to have my doubts as to the motives of the CG It is now confirmed in my mind what color he bears. I have noticed since the former P.M has resigned & things were pointed to an early elections. The CG is in a great hast in his disguised to unearth corruption, is doing everything to make sure the J.L.P govt stays out of power. What has Danville Walker done for the CG to have at this time recommend that he be criminally charged ?. This man seem to have more power that any person in the world.
12/16/2011
My belief is that the C.G.by referring Mr. Walker to the DPP for criminal proceedings to be brought against him is being the eternal optimist., just as I am in writing this blog hoping that it will be published.
By the way don't the PNP says anything at their meetings or didn't Dr. Phillips say anything worthy of note in the debate last night to be quoted?
Maybe we will need to hear from the biased Sunday Herald.
No matter how hard we try to prevent it, the four fingers continue to point back.
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