It certainly looked like corruption!
WHEN THE People’s National Party’s (PNP) mayor of Lucea was accused of nepotism by the contractor general, the first response of the director of public prosecutions (DPP) was that Jamaica has no crime on the books called nepotism. It certainly looked like corruption, when it was exposed, that close relatives of the mayor received contracts worth several million dollars from the parish council of which the mayor is the chair. Where was the outrage from PNP supporters at this appearance of corruption?
Does it appear any less corrupt when a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government — without following established procurement guidelines — issued contracts worth many millions of dollars to their supporters to do bushing just before the last local government elections?
Where is the outrage from JLP supporters at this appearance of corruption?
Does the fact of the Trafigura donation to the PNP cause any shame among PNP supporters? Does the fact of the efforts of the JLP government to prevent the extradition of Dudus cause any shame among JLP supporters? It would appear not, for the silence — especially from the private sector — has been deafening; and contributions to both political parties continue to roll in.
If the appearance of corruption is to be avoided, then all donations to political parties — in cash or in kind — must be declared and published. The fact that both politicians and private sector wish these donations to remain secret exposes their unwillingness to avoid the appearance of graft, influence peddling and conflicts of interest, three of the most common types of corruption practised in Jamaica.
About this there must be no compromise, which is why I continue to be disappointed by the actions of National Integrity Action and Trevor Munroe, who compromised with the political parties by agreeing to secret political donations above a certain threshold, which creates large loopholes for wholesale corruption to continue. They must be so embarrassed that even after compromising, not even these watereddown measures have been implemented.