KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party’s (PNP) Shadow Minister of Science and Technology, Julian Robinson, today expressed shock at news emerging from testimony before the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC), that some 24 qualified candidates had submitted applications for the position of Executive Director of the Universal Service Fund (USF) but they were tossed aside in favour of someone with Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) membership who was not qualified to fill the post.

Robinson, in a release from his party, said that this level of unfairness is unethical, lacks transparency and only serves to corrode public perception and erode trust in public administration.

Robinson said favouritism, cronyism and nepotism within the realm of government are apparently more widespread than originally believed.

He said the decision of the USF board to toss aside the applications of so many qualified individuals for an unqualified and “connected” member of the JLP requires an urgent explanation as people with reasonable minds must be confused about the motives of those who are put in charge of public bodies.

He noted that the report at the PAAC indicated that applicants with Masters and doctoral degrees in the technical areas applicable to the work of the USF were not shortlisted and considered to fill the post.

“Too many Jamaicans have sacrificed and stayed the course of education, and are shafted from getting top positions of merit because of the practice of nepotism and cronyism at the highest levels. This must be justly condemned,” said Robinson.