HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton on Tuesday welcomed the Integrity Commission’s conclusion that he was not directly involved in the award of a $15-million contract to integrated communications agency Market Me, and expressed regret at any hurt or reputational damage that the matter may have brought to other individuals.

“This matter has remained in the public domain for several years and, at times, has cast unfair doubt not only on my own integrity, but also on the reputations of others involved, including members of the ministry and legitimate contractors,” Tufton said in a statement issued after the Integrity Commission (IC) report on its investigation into allegations of procurement irregularities and conflict of interest in the award of contracts to Market Me by the health ministry was tabled in Parliament.

“I am, however, pleased that the IC has reported no illegality by any party involved, and I am relieved that the report brings clarity to the facts,” Tufton added.

The report came just over five years after the IC opened an investigation into the allegations in respect of the development and implementation of a social marketing campaign, during the period January 2016 – December 2020.

The campaign, named Jamaica Moves, is part of the health ministry’s coordinated national response to the increased incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The ministry explained that the campaign was designed to educate, engage, and build supportive environments, with the goal of reducing NCDs by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

In its report, the IC said its director of investigation found that a total of 15 contracts, with a cumulative value of $78.5 million, were awarded to Market Me over the period January 2017 to March 2021.

Fourteen of those contracts, with a cumulative value of $73.6 million, were awarded by the health and wellness ministry, while the other contract, valued at $4.9 million, was awarded by the National Family Planning Board by way of the direct contracting procurement methodology.

The matter became controversial after it emerged that Tufton and one of the principals of Market Me had a friendship before he became health minister.

According to the IC, its investigation found that Tufton had introduced Market Me to the ministry as the company’s proposal for the Jamaica Moves campaign fit with his view on lifestyle and wellness issues.

The IC’s director of investigation said while he saw no evidence that Tufton was directly involved in the award of a contract to Market Me — as the extent of his involvement was the introduction of the company to the ministry — nevertheless his “actions could reasonably be considered to have indirectly influenced the engagement of Market Me, which ultimately resulted in that entity being awarded contracts of just under $80,000,000”.

As such, the IC cited Tufton for a conflict of interest.

It also described as “a serious irregularity” the health ministry’s decision to enter into a contract with the marketing company “on the basis of the receipt of an unsolicited proposal”.

As such, the IC recommended that the health and wellness ministry refrains from “the improper use of the direct contracting procurement methodology and ensure that this methodology is utilised only within the parameters of the Public Procurement Act and the attendant regulations, guidelines and circulars”.

Additionally, the IC recommended that the ministry ensures that at all times it has in place a comprehensive procurement plan which facilitates value for money, prudent financial management, and which allows the ministry to plan more effectively in the procurement of goods, works and services, while adhering to international best practices and applicable laws and procurement guidelines.

“It is further recommended that the ministry ensures the execution of proper procurement planning as a critical and important first step in the procurement cycle to avoid, inter alia, the occurrence of engaging in the ad hoc acquisition of goods and services, as well as eliminating the need to reimburse a contractor for expenditure incurred during contract implementation and between contracts,” the commission added.

It also recommended, in relation to Tufton, that the matter be referred to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In his response, Tufton said “the commission’s findings have helped to clarify the facts and put to rest years of speculation, allowing the public to have a clear and accurate understanding of the matter”.

He said that throughout the process he had remained focused on fulfilling his duties as minister of health and wellness, “and on advancing the public health agenda in the best interest of the Jamaican people”.

In a later interview with the Jamaica Observer , Tufton said, “I’ve always maintained that at no point did I direct any individual within the ministry or otherwise to give a contract to the entity, and the IC report has pretty much said that there is no evidence to support that. That, for me, is vindication.

“It is also, I think, important to note that the programme — as much as it was criticised, with all of the furore around it — has served a very important purpose and continues to date to do so. It is now in the schools, in communities, it is now Caribbean Moves, it has covered a number of countries, and so in terms of my own feeling I feel justified that the push to get a programme of this kind, despite the criticism, was a positive one for the populace, for Jamaica, and indeed beyond Jamaica,” he said.

“I’m glad it has come to an end and my biggest regret is the pain and the suffering it has caused to the non-political actors. My regret is that they were forced to be brought into a controversial discussion where many used it to promulgate perceptions around corruption. I am apologetic to those who had to suffer this period of time but beyond that the final result, I believe, is a vindication that nothing untoward took place and that the programme has served its useful purpose,” Tufton told the Observer.

“I respect the process now before the Speaker of the House and shall remain committed to serving with integrity, accountability, and an unwavering focus on national development,” he added.

Late Tuesday night, Market Me responded to the IC report saying it has “confirmed what we have always known, that our wok stands on integrity, professionalism, purpose and excellent value for money”.

The company said that for over 12 years it has proudly served clients across Jamaica’s public and private sectors and now, with the contracts matter addressed, it can “return to what truly matters”, doing “great work” for the clients and communities it serves.

In this 2023 file photo, then state minister in the Ministry of Health Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn(foreground) leads the line as students participate in the National Schools Moves Day activity held at Hopewell High.