LETTER OF THE DAY - Do not render OCG powerless
Published:Saturday | June 1, 2013 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Attorney General Patrick Atkinson's announcement in Parliament that the Contractor General Act is to be amended to prevent the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) from monitoring certain projects at the pre-contractual stage raises many concerns.
The rationale is that, if Cabinet approves the amendment, the Government would discontinue pursuing court action questioning the powers of the OCG.
In fact, this move has raised the eyebrows of some private-sector and watchdog groups. For integrity, the Government should, however, focus on pronouncements for the establishment of a single anti-corruption agency. This will more than satisfy the national interest.
With the OCG having reduced power, that office would be strait-jacketed. This may result in public funds being more vulnerable to mismanagement and corruption.
If the OCG is prevented from monitoring certain projects at the pre-contractual stage, questionable contracts could slip through the cracks.
Based on the handcuffing of the OCG, the validity of certain contracts will be untouchable. No whistle can be blown upon perusal by the OCG.
IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPARENCY
The uncompromising and unrelenting approach in ensuring that there is transparency will be eroded. And so the view may be taken by white-collar criminals that they are beyond scrutiny and reproach once they pass the pre-contractual hurdle.
I think the establishment of a single anti-corruption agency would be far more important to, and lucrative for, the Government than they know. The time spent on corruption matters could be better directed to advancing our infrastructure, focusing on boosting economic growth, selling Brand Jamaica to the world, and decreasing our dependence on food imports.
RICARDO COLE