Calling for resignations is not the Opposition's sole strategy - Paulwell
Published:Tuesday | August 21, 2018 | 12:00 AMBrian Walker/Staff Reporter
Phillip Paulwell, shadow spokesman on energy, has dismissed an assertion that the Opposition's main strategy is to call for embattled public officials to be dismissed. Over the past three months, multiple officials under the science, energy and technology portfolios have tendered their resignations amid issues related to public administration.
"We clearly are indicating to the country that we will be better managers, we will observe good governance in how we function and that, all in all, we are the alternative. ... I think there are lessons that we are showing to the Jamaican people as to how to manage the Jamaican society...," Paulwell told The Gleaner on Tuesday.
The officials who have stepped down include:
Dr Andrew Wheatley, former minister of science, energy and technology, Dr Perceval Bahado-Singh, former Petrojam chairman; and Trevor Forrest, former chairman of the Spectrum Management Authority, among others.
Paulwell asserted, "I think, fundamentally, we have a question of governance that we want to bring home to the people of the country, because we have seen so many instances where this current government has failed in that regard."
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been reviewing the boards of entities under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Energy portfolio, which is housed at the Office of the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Hilary Alexander retired as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology last Thursday.
Paulwell added that he is looking forward to the next sitting of Parliament's Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC), which is currently on summer recess.
He explained, "I believe that there are other issues that will emerge in the same ministry, out of NESoL, Universal Service Fund, that will come out in the continuing investigation. I am pleased that the PAAC will resume its work early and to continue probing issues related to the ministry."