The Integrity Commission has rapped former agriculture minister Floyd Green for reappointing Olive Downer Walsh to the national board of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) in 2020, despite her position as deputy head of Hardware and Lumber (H&L) Limited, a major player in the agriculture industry.

H&L has an established commercial link with RADA.

In a report tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the commission said Green had failed to apply the considerations outlined in the Government’s policy guidelines for the nomination, selection, and appointment of individuals to the boards of public bodies.

It rejected Green’s explanation that: “Based on her background in agriculture, Olive Downer Walsh fulfils the requirements of the RADA Act. In light of the new requirements stipulated by Cabinet pertaining to the composition of public boards, namely, inclusion of 30 per cent females and retention of one-third previous board members, and her experience in agriculture she would have been deemed suitably qualified for reappointment.”

The commission’s Director of Investigations Kevon Stephenson said the rationale was unacceptable in light of the conflict of interest implications raised by Downer Walsh’s concurrent professional relationship with RADA and H&L Limited.

According to the report, between January 2017 and January 2021, RADA awarded 14 contracts to H&L Limited totalling $136 million. Three of those contracts  were endorsed by Downer Walsh on behalf of H&L Limited.

Stephenson noted her direct involvement in and proximity to the preparation of tender documents and the execution of contracts between both entities, in her capacity as deputy CEO of the company.

“This proximity and involvement created the perception that the authority’s procurement processes were less than transparent, which may adversely impact public confidence in the operations of the authority,” the commission said.

It noted that the value of contracts awarded to H&L Limited by RADA during the period further substantiated the nexus between the core business of the two entities.

Downer Walsh has been a member of the national board of directors of RADA since April 2016, and was reappointed in June 2018 and November 2020.

The report indicated that twice, Downer Walsh made declarations to RADA that she was employed to H&L Limited in the capacity of deputy chief executive officer.

The commission, in its recommendations, urged that the minister ensure strict adherence to the Government of Jamaica policy guidelines for the selection and appointment of individuals to the boards of public bodies, taking into consideration conflict of interest that is material to the core business of the entity.