Dear Editor,

The recent appointment of retired army chief Rocky Meade raises many questions. The release from the Office of the Prime Minister states that Meade will become ambassador plenipotentiary with responsibility for national strategic initiatives and will serve all ministries. This is a very strange appointment to a position which never existed till now. We are not aware of Meade’s extraordinary qualifications, talents, and expertise, even while he served in the army. Taxpayers will end up paying for Meade’s compensation package, which, I believe, will be lucrative.

Why did the Government create this special position when it can’t even find funds to give teachers and other public servants a decent salary increase? Only five months ago Meade was offered the position of Cabinet secretary. Immediately, questions were raised about the constitutionality of the appointment, Meade subsequently declined the appointment.

We may never get answers to legitimate questions, but if we don’t demand transparency, accountability, and integrity, Jamaica will continue to struggle.

At the end of the day, the future of Jamaica lies with Jamaicans and what the majority chooses to accept as normal.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com