Dear Editor,

No one can deny the fact that since taking up the position of contractor general, Greg Christie has brought to this office a high level of stridency and intellectual rigour in his interpretation and application of the contractor general’s office. Mr Christie’s training and experience must inform him, however, that hardly any laws are ever interpreted and applied to the letter every day and every time.

There will always be circumstances where it is practical and desirable that the spirit of a particular law prevails. I don’t think Mr Christie gets it – that the government of the day, which is elected by the people, must exercise its authority to perform the functions of running the state, without constant threat of prosecution, claims of corruption, and casting a cloud of motives around so many things that everybody within and without the government does.

I believe that when the National Contracts Commission and the Office of the Contractor General were set up, the intent was to create a body of laws that would act as a check and balance in the award of government contracts, etc. It was not intended to be a roadblock to development and progress, but it seems the current holder of this office has not quite appreciated that the letter and the spirit of the OCG must be read and understood together, or the intentions will not be realised.

Winston D Barrett

Kingston 8

wdbarrett123@yahoo.com