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Omer Thomas, former chairman of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority.

Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

The former chairman of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Dr Omer Thomas, yesterday rejected reports that his educational credentials were false.

Thomas has quit as RADA chairman and senior adviser to the agriculture minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, with immediate effect.

Thomas told The Gleaner last night that he decided to quit because of the allegations that his credentials were false and because of death threats against him and two members of his family.

"Nobody asked me to resign," he said.

When asked why he did not present his credentials after the allegations surfaced, Thomas said he was never asked for them.

Controversy

Yesterday, Tufton said Thomas, in his resignation letter, noted that the controversy surrounding his credentials was "distracting" the work at the ministry.

Tufton told The Gleaner that he met with Thomas about a month ago, and again on Wednesday, to discuss some concerns, including the matter of his credentials.

"He agreed and admitted that he needed to deal with the issue as it was becoming an untenable distraction," Tufton said.

But last night, Thomas said he had had no discussion at the ministry level.

In the meantime, Thomas said he would be initiating legal action against media houses and individuals, following their reports about the reasons for his resignation.

Two years ago, concerns were raised in Parliament about Thomas's qualifications.

Thomas said, at that time, he presented proof to the Ministry of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce that his qualifications were authentic.

"I have never presented any phoney or fraudulent documents," he told The Gleaner last night.

Thomas ran as the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for Eastern St Thomas in last year's general election.

Yesterday, James Robertson, deputy leader of the JLP Area Council Two, said the matter would be discussed at the party's officers' meeting on Monday.

He declined further comment on the matter.

Before his stint at the agriculture ministry, Thomas was the executive director at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica.

He resigned from that post shortly before launching his failed bid to become a member of parliament.

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com

Education