THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT IS indeed interesting to see the reaction of the KSAC councillors to Mrs. Brown-Burke's proposal to publish the financial details of financially significant contracts on their website. The immediate impression that the Jamaican public gets from this is that the councillors have something to hide.
What our political representatives seem to forget is that there is a serious issue of credibility with respect to the awarding of contracts from those in public office to persons who can benefit from being 'connected' to these political appointees. While Mrs. Brown-Burke's suggestion is not a panacea for corruption, it appears at the surface to be a step in the right direction.
'NATIONAL LEVEL'
The claim from some councillors that the problem of transparency is not just a KSAC problem but a national problem is laughable at best. What do they mean by launching a campaign at the 'national level'?
'National level' could be interpreted to mean that each and every Jamaican national should strive for honesty and transparency in all our dealings. For example, it could mean that teachers must ensure transparency in the classroom, that is, they must prepare and deliver their lessons so that students have a fair chance to learn.
National transparency could also mean the business community should ensure that their financial statements are properly audited and that they are not involved in cheating the country of well needed taxes. It could also mean that our security forces must also demonstrate transparency in the way they operate and conduct the business of ensuring our security.
I could go on, but my point is, parish councils like the KSAC should take the lead in trying to rebuild public confidence by putting systems in place that will assist the process of transparency.
Leading by example is one way to apply pressure on their colleagues in Gordon House. In my opinion, the call for a 'national level' transparency campaign seems to be a way to ensure its failure and deflect attention away from any accountability issues within the KSAC.
JLP REJECTION
What is also interesting is that rejection of Mrs Brown-Burke's resolution is strongest from the JLP majority. This further reinforces the image that individuals on both sides of the political fence may have something to hide with regards to who benefits from public contracts.
I would hope that debates like this will continue in the KSAC and other public agencies in the hope of improving accountability in all our government agencies that have responsibility for spending taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.
Honesty and transparency are two core principles that should underpin any society desirous of prosperity, peace and stability. Our political representatives must always be mindful of this fact.
I am, etc.,
PETER E.T. EDWARDS
pedwards@udel.edu
Graduate Student,
Marine Policy
University of Delaware
Via Go-Jamaica
