( L - R ) Williams, Wehby

Businessman R. Danny Williams, who served in Prime Minister Michael Manley's Cabinet in the late 1970s, has confirmed that he retained his private sector salary while being a government minister.

Furthermore, Mr. Williams told The Gleaner that he also took his much smaller government salary while serving, first as Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, and then as the senior minister in that ministry.

Public concerns

This disclosure has come amid public concerns about the arrangements accompanying the appointment of Don Wehby, a senior executive in the GraceKennedy Group, as Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance.

When Mr. Wehby's appointment was announced by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, it was also disclosed that he would continue to be paid the difference in his salary by GraceKennedy.

The propriety of that arrangement has been challenged by the opposition People's National Party and other organisations. Dr. Omar Davies, the former Minister of Finance, while praising Mr. Wehby for his knowledge and integrity, said that his continued ties with the powerful private sector conglomerate could present a conflict of interest in light of the role he will play in the Finance Ministry.

Mr. Williams, a founder of Life of Jamaica, recalled that he took leave from the company and resigned from all his other private sector positions, but remained on the payroll of the insurance firm.

"Life of Jamaica continued to pay me my salary while I was minister," he confirmed.

While not being able to recall all the details of his compensation package, he said that he was also paid his ministerial salary "which was extremely small!"

Additionally, he said he continued to utilise a vehicle provided by Life of Jamaica as he was not provided with one by the Government.

No ethical questions

Reflecting on those arrangements made 30 years ago, the former insurance executive said that he did not recall any ethical questions being raised about the matter.

In light of the questions now being raised about the Wehby appointment, however, he is suggesting that there should be a comprehensive review of the situation with a view to establishing an acceptable formula for such public-private sector arrangements.

"What we need to do is to have the Government and the private sector sit down and set out some terms under which people can move from the private sector to the public sector, and indeed from the public sector to the private sector, on secondment".

Praising Mr. Wehby for the expertise and integrity he will take to the Finance Ministry, Mr. Williams said the country should embrace that contribution.

Meanwhile, it was announced last night that Mr. Wehby had resigned from the GraceKennedy Group effective September 30. The decision, according to the Jamaica Information Service, was to "remove any appearance of conflict of interest which his continued relationship with GraceKennedy might cause".