Have we no shame? I am shocked to see that in the light of the scandalous contract given to the former central bank governor, the People's National Party (PNP) has taken to defend its actions.
First there was the impromptu press conference outside Parlia-ment by former finance minister, Omar Davies, and then a subsequent press conference on Thursday.
Instead of apologising to the country for what clearly was a lapse of judgement at best in the awarding of such an overly generous and open-ended contract, the PNP has attempted to vilify the Government. The PNP talks about the millions it will cost to settle the contract but does not take responsibility for signing the contract in the first place.
bad management
In a related point, the PNP has chastised the Government because Standard and Poor's has down-graded Jamaica again. Yet, it seems unaware that a large part of Jamaica's economic woes is a result of the unsatisfactory stewardship of Davies.
Incidentally, we must also not forget the track record of S&P, which has been wrong in many instances, and failed to predict the economic meltdown experienced by the world. Why doesn't the PNP educate the Jamaican public with that information, as well in the interest of fairness and honesty?
honest politicians
Jamaicans deserve honest politicians, and while the paradox is evident in my statement, it must be possible to find one who is willing to put country above self. The unequivocal defence of Davies is a sign that the PNP is not ready to do that. At the very least, it should admit that there was a clear lapse in judgement and a failure to bring the contract to Parliament or the Cabinet is unacceptable.
It is ironic that the PNP has been calling for the Government to reveal 'all' as it relates to the separation of the governor from the BOJ, and now that it has been revealed, it seeks to shift responsibility to the Government for a situation that it created. Have they no shame?
I am, etc.,
HAROLD MALCOLM
bruce_26@hotmail.com
London School of Economics
and Political Science