Dear Editor,

I am puzzled, even vexed, about the J$9.2 million severance payout to former Petrojam Human Resource (HR) Manager Yolande Ramharrack, and J$7.2 million to former General Manager (GM) Floyd Grindley.

Both were terminated due to multiple breaches, which screamed corruption and incompetence, and which suggests they were never qualified for their jobs.

Their dismissals were inevitable and they were entitled to severance, but this should’ve been limited to a few months pay, given that their years of service did not add up to much.

This should not have added to over J$16 million combined, with the former HR manager raking in millions more than her boss, the former GM, which hardly makes any sense.

Ramharrack’s settlement, (unlike Grindley’s) also included a bizarre non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

These are public funds, managed by a public agency; it is puzzling what secrets the former HR Manager could disclose.

NDAs have no business in public sector, where public funds and resources are being managed. Corruption should never be rewarded or covered up, transparency is key.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says he now is willing to review the removal of NDA clauses from settlements in the public sector. But alas, he is late, he is the minister responsible for Petrojam and signed off on the settlements including Ramsharrack’s J$ 9.2 million, and that too, is disturbing.

What is he hiding? The only consolation is knowing that the State retained more than 50 per cent in statutory deductions. Meanwhile, Jamaica’s corruption ranking internationally continues to drop.

P Chin