Davies - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Dr Omar Davies, the Opposition spokesman on finance and former finance minister, says he is being targeted by the Bruce Golding-led Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Government for political reasons.

"It is clear that the government is very, very shaky on the issues of the economy and I think that there is a deliberated policy of targeting me in the hope that by weakening me they would weaken the criticism," Davies told The Gleaner.

Unconscionable contract

Davies' comments came after Prime Minister Golding told Parliament that the former finance minister was responsible for formulating what he called, an absurd and unconscionable contract for Bank of Jamaica Governor Derick Latibeaudiere.

"I am surprised that I am not being blamed for the crime rate," Davies said on Tuesday evening.

The Opposition spokesman said he was not convinced that Latibeau-diere's contract was terminated by the government because of the issues relating to his demand for more money to cover his housing expenses.

"I am not convinced that the reason for the governor's termination was purely contractual. I am willing to assert that approaches have been made to other persons to determine their interests in the post of governor of the Bank of Jamaica," Davies said.

The former finance minister said that h.3e was in no way defending the jump in Latibeaudiere's pay, he however said that the contract was similar to contracts of former governors of the BOJ.

"This is not a new situation and if there were an objection in principle there is no reason to have waited for two years to seek to remedy it," Davies said.

The former finance minister said that there were several instances in which he has assisted the Government behind the scenes but would now be taking stock of the extent of his assistance.

"I am certainly reconsidering. I am not going to be destructive but I certainly would reconsider my approach in terms of seeking to assist. It is very clear to me that there is a deliberate programme, a systematic programme aimed at seeking to come after me," Davis said.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com