HANOVER, Jamaica – Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Desmond McKenzie has come out in defence of Prime Minister Andrew Holness who is facing suggestions of conflict of interest.

An Integrity Commission report cited Holness for the possible breach in relation to the awarding of Government contracts to a company owned by his friend 14 years ago when he was education minister.

“I believe support… that this Government led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness is open and committed and the country should have no doubt about the integrity of the prime minister and the integrity of the Government when it comes on to openness and transparency,” stated McKenzie.

The minister made the remarks Thursday during his address at a ceremony in Chambers Pen, Hanover to mark the commissioning of the Chambers Pen Water Supply System and contract signing for road rehabilitation work.

On Tuesday, the commission tabled a report in Parliament referring the prime minister to the director of corruption prosecution for “consideration with respect to breaches of the Contractor General Act” about contracts awarded to Westcon Construction Limited between February 2007 and November 2009.

The commission had also referred the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Social Development Commission (SDC) to the director of corruption prosecution in the same matter, pointing out that the NWA awarded 34 contracts to Westcon, while the SDC awarded two contracts to the company.

However, McKenzie, who spoke glowingly about Holness’s commitment to transparency and integrity, pointed out that it was under the Holness administration that work was done to improve the integrity of Jamaica.

“It was under his administration that the Integrity Commission was established. The Office of the Contractor General… So, it speaks to the commitment of this administration led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness for openness and transparency,” stated McKenzie.

Chambers Pen is the pilot for the Rural Development Programme (RDP) which is spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

The RDP was introduced in 2021 and the Chambers Pen leg of the programme was officially launched in June last year. Some J$223 million is earmarked for spending in Chambers Pen.

The initiative is designed to give new life to rural communities over the next two years.

— Anthony Lewis