Peter Thompson on the move again
Published:Wednesday | August 30, 2023 | 12:14 AMChristopher Serju/Senior Gleaner Writer
Two years after he was appointed director general of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), Peter Thompson has been sent on leave while the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining searches for a suitable position for his relocation.
Thompson took office on September 1, 2021 for a two-year stint, which has now come to an end, after departing the job of chief executive officer of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). He is now on leave, which The Gleaner understands could run into October as the search to find a post for him intensifies.
Agricultural engineer Winston Simpson has been acting CEO of RADA for many months but it is unlikely that Thompson would return to that post. Meanwhile, the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, where acting CEO Garfield Ewart has been doing a commendable job, is the position being eyed for him, in what industry stakeholders have likened to a game of musical chairs within the agriculture ministry.
In denying reports that Thompson was shown the door or told to accept a transfer from another government agency, in 2021, the agriculture ministry sought to explain his transfer, saying “In order to maintain Thompson’s civil servant benefits, a secondment was sought by JACRA from RADA. This was approved by the board of directors of RADA… .”
Thompson has been succeeded at JACRA by Wayne Hunter, whose employment status is being probed by the Integrity Commission.
In May, Kevon Stephenson, director of investigation at the Integrity Commission, directed Thompson to submit to the commission a written statement to determine whether any public officer/official had contravened the law, and whether recommendations ought to be made and to state, in particular, whether a person by the name of Wayne Hunter is/was employed to JACRA.
Stephenson further instructed that, in the event Thompson’s response was in the affirmative, he should state the date on which Hunter became employed to JACRA; the post(s) held by Hunter at JACRA; details of the job function, roles and responsibilities of each post; whether Hunter, in his capacity at JACRA, may duly terminate employment of any staff member; and whether Thompson was aware of Hunter being affiliated and/or associated with any person and/or company to which contract(s) was/were awarded by JACRA.