Private sector says calls for Montague's sacking 'premature'

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) says it is premature to call for the resignation of the National Security Minister Robert Montague over the scandal unfolding at the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA). 

Opposition Spokesman, Peter Bunting, has insisted that Prime Minister Andrew Holness fire Montague whom he accuses of being the architect of the politicisation of the board that resigned Wednesday. 

Bunting's position appears to be different from that of his leader, Dr Peter Phillips who has called for an independent review, without any mention of whether Montague should be sacked.

The PSOJ's chief executive officer, Dennis Chung says demanding Montague's resignation would require proof that the minister was aware that the FLA board was allegedly granting gun permits to people of questionable character or before appeals were heard.

According to Chung, it is highly unlikely that Montague was involved in the permit approval process.

The PSOJ executive also says what Montague and the rest of the government should focus on is changing how FLA boards are appointed to remove political influence.

The chairman and his deputy of the recently resigned board are former election candidates of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party.

So too is the FLA's current chief executive officer.

The Office of the Contractor General and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency are probing the systems and criminal allegations at the FLA.

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