THE Government’s declaration that the Tivoli Enquiry will continue, despite questions surrounding its nearly $350-million bill, has drawn strong reaction from Jamaica Observer online readers. Below are some edited comments in response to a story published yesterday featuring statements by Justice Minister Mark Golding at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing.

Andyb

And what if they find that some high-ranking people are criminally responsible? Will they go to jail? I doubt it. Stop wasting taxpayers’ money on this stupid enquiry.

sassy

@Andyb: If that occurs and the Government turn a blind eye to it, then it’s up to the people of Jamaica to ensure that the high-profile person is held accountable.

truth

Milking the ‘Dudus’ issue for political expediency is a national disgrace, when on the other hand the Finsac inquiry is left hanging because it is not politically benefiting to the Government…

chikV2Ebola

If this minister has the interest of these victims he would have compensated them in short order by having a Coroner’s Inquest; this should be less expensive and would have identified whose gun shot the victims. Instead, what we now have is unlimited monies been thrown to [people] at the taxpayers’s expense, with a bit of politics thrown in the mix.

While all of this is going on, the Finsac commissioners are starved of funds to complete their report of the ’90s financial meltdown. Not to be outdone, some services in our hospitals and courts are suspended due to broken equipment.

Gary Rubbas Harris

@chikV2Ebola: Politics has surely clouded almost every Jamaican in this country to the point where we can’t argue rationally about anything. This enquiry was recommended by the public defender, not the PNP. And, as far as I know it was set out to determine is there were human violations during operation.

fedup

@Gary Rubbas Harris: I don’t think the problem is the enquiry. Yes, we must find out what happened; the issue is why it has to cost so much money. And, if for some miracle they actually find someone responsible for violating human rights, will that someone be charged? I won’t be holding my breath.

Pebbles

This reminds me of a man with a sore foot who is constantly having problems and knows it is getting worse but does not want to go to the doctor who might either cure it or want to cut it off. The PNP started on this journey strategically positioned to take place in an election year, when this could have been carried out years ago, it is a part of their election campaign and so regardless of the fact that no one is that interested and this is not helping them in anyway they are reluctant to give up on their great idea which forms the basis for them holding on to another term.

veejay

Yes, Golding, it costs to hire persons of certain calibre — just as how it costs us to have MPs! Put in a word for the Finsac Enquiry nuh or are you all afraid that some of the same ministers will be culpable?

prizm

@veejay: Ministers on both sides would be culpable, for your information; they all got bailed out.

Matlock2

Mr Golding, what about the truth in FINSAC? Why the same emphasis is not placed on finding the money to complete that enquiry, if the truth is so important?

JSmith

@Matlock2: Selective truth.

David

@Matlock2: Why should he? Why did the JLP let the Finsac enquiry drag out for such long time until it exhausted the budget and now asking for more to be found? I say, since the people were already paid the full budget, they should present their findings without one more red cent of payment.

Jamdowner

I don’t believe the part about not seeking political mileage. However, I can’t understand why 70+ people were killed because you have to give up one man. Some people were running scared and still are.

chippo

This enquiry makes no sense …it seems like the ones doing the enquiry are the ones benefiting in the end instead of the victims and their families.

NejeeperKNG

You can always count on the PNP to find reasons to redistribute borrowed money while the country struggles with a massive public debt. Over 1,000 people got killed last year and 99% of the perpetrators are still walking around free. This enquiry is not about justice, it is about finding a way to stay in power and have a PM who is absent even when she is present.

niceladyjam

The [stakes] are high. Hey, hey we have to win the next elections enuh! SMH.

Sean S

STOP! Please, STOP this whole JLP against PNP nonsense. Both of them are winning, while all the bickering citizens are losing, and nothing will change unless you change. Election is basically ‘choose yu poison’ process. You condemn the other party, while you have a ‘bag of excuse’ for your own party. It’s like you are playing a childish game. Stand up, grow up, wake up, rise up and hold the whole of them accountable. The real question we should be asking, is how do we do this effectively?

Clifton Campbell

Really, Mr Minister! $340 million plus to get the truth… Be careful. One day the masses might just wake up and demand accountability.

james dallen

I wonder if these two parties think they can fool all the people all the time…one party don’t want Finsac to continue the other don’t want Tivoli to continue…