MEMBERS of Jamaica’s private sector and civil society are expressing cautious optimism following the Government’s decision to appoint Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson as chief executive officer of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), which will lead Jamaica’s rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

Initial reactions to the appointment announced on Wednesday by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness seemed uniform in pointing to Anderson’s experience and integrity, with a wait-and-see approach on NaRRa.

President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica Patrick Hylton told the Jamaica Observer that he was elated to see the prominent public servant rise to the role of chief executive officer of NaRRA.

“From my personal knowledge of him, as well as his track record, he is the consummate professional, very experienced, very knowledgeable, with a good sense of judgement and great personal and professional integrity,” said Hylton.

He added that because of Anderson’s many professional endeavours and years of dedication to public service, he is well-suited to handle the task ahead.

“In addition, he understands the local environment well, has good connections, and the respect of a lot of people. These are attributes which should help him to be effective in the role,” Hylton said.

It was a similar response from Kathryn Silvera, president of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA).

“The JMEA has great respect for Major Anderson’s record of service and believe this is a very good appointment. The challenges so far with relief fund management and the need for NaRRA demand disciplined, principled leadership.

“His track record of integrity and results gives confidence that he will act with transparency, resist undue influence, and ensure accountability in this critical role,” Silvera told the Observer.

With over four decades of public service, Anderson spent 34 years in the military, where he served as chief of defence staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, followed by leadership roles as the nation’s first national security advisor to the prime minister, and later as the commissioner of police. Anderson then delved into the realm of diplomacy, undertaking the role of Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, and now sits at the helm of NaRRA, where he is tasked to monitor and implement the island’s timely recovery.

Addressing a special post-Cabinet media briefing in the banquet hall at Jamaica House, Wednesday morning, Holness noted that the NaRRA Bill was officially passed into law, and that Anderson will assume duties starting June 1.

According to Holness, Anderson’s appointment comes at a critical stage in Jamaica’s post-Hurricane Melissa recovery and reconstruction programme, as the Government moves to accelerate implementation while maintaining strong systems of accountability, transparency and fiscal discipline.

Holness underscored that NaRRA has been established to coordinate and drive Jamaica’s national reconstruction and resilience agenda following the passage of the devastating Category 5 storm that made landfall last October.

“Major General Antony Anderson brings to NaRRA the discipline, integrity, and operational command required for this moment. Jamaica is entering a period of reconstruction that must be defined by speed, but also by transparency, proper planning, and accountability. His experience leading national institutions, responding to crises, and strengthening disaster risk management systems makes him well-suited to drive this mandate.”

He added: “NaRRA’s mission is to build stronger, safer, and more resilient communities. My Administration will ensure that every dollar spent contributes to Jamaica’s long-term development, productivity, and economic growth.”

Meanwhile, principal director of the corruption watchdog entity National Integrity Action Dr Gavin Myers told the Observer that, while he did not question Anderson’s ability to optimally perform his duties, he still had reservations on the legislation itself, arguing that the Government should provide greater transparency to gain public trust.

“Mr Anderson has had a long and distinguished career both in the military and outside of the military, and I’m very certain that he would be highly qualified. Major Anderson… has attained the highest rank in… the military, in the police, and he also has worked in the diplomatic service. So he brings public service to any job that he’s in,” said Myers.

“But it is also causing the question that Jamaica, being a low-trust environment, and it has been acknowledged by the prime minister and many other persons, [that we] would love and would value information up front rather than things coming out trickle by trickle. Documents are always helpful,” added Myers.

He told the Observer that he hopes the duties, roles, and operational timelines of the job would be made  known ahead of Anderson’s formal assumption of office so that Jamaicans are able to hold its officials accountable.

“What I am hoping for is that we will be able to understand before what it is that he will be carrying for us to be able to track that. That’s my thought, because Jamaica is a low-trust environment and we put someone in charge of the implementation. Okay, implement what? By when? How? How much money? It would be good to know these from early so that we the citizens can work with and watch with Major Anderson,” he said.

For his part, president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce Emile Leiba told the Observer that while he believes in Anderson’s capabilities, he needs to see NaRRA at work before making any conclusions.

“Based on his track record in his leadership positions prior to this and his role as ambassador [of Jamaica to the United States], I think he would be a good pick because the role does require significant organisational skills and being able to monitor and keep track of the large-scale projects that have been promised by the prime minister and referenced in the NaRRA legislation. So somebody with his skill set, I think, would add value to the role. However, it’s very early days yet, so we’ll have to see how it all works out in practice,” said Leiba.

He declared that it was in the best interest of every Jamaican for NaRRA to be effective as he offered Anderson and the Government his best wishes.

“For the sake of the country, we certainly hope it’s a viable venture. If it’s not, then that has very serious implications. But I would say this, the country needs NaRRa to succeed, and so we should all make reasonable efforts for that success to happen.

“So, again, it’s subject to seeing how it works in function. It’s one thing to legislate, it’s quite another for it to be operationalised, and so we have to wait and see how it operates from a functional perspective and then we take it from there,” said Leiba.

HYLTON… Anderson is the consummate professional, very experienced, very knowledgeable with a good sense of judgement.

SILVERA…his track record of integrity and results gives confidence that he will act with transparency, resist undue influence, and ensure accountability in this critical role.

Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, who has been selected to head NaRRA (Photo: JIS)