Curtis Ward | Be vigilant: expose corruption in hurricane relief and recovery

Saying there are significant concerns by many in Jamaica and in the diaspora that the government on its own cannot be trusted to distribute hurricane relief without bias and favour would be an understatement. There is context for these concerns.

Equally, and perhaps of even greater concerns, the specter of corruption hovers over the government’s sole control of the massive inflow of relief and recovery assets from abroad. In this context there must be stepped up vigilance to prevent and expose corruption in the relief and rebuilding distribution process.

There are credible reports that the government in its early response to the disaster gave precedence to areas represented by members of the governing party in parliament while neglecting or delaying relief to areas represented by the opposition party. This egregious bias, if not due to being overwhelmed and unprepared for the magnitude of the disaster by the government, is inexcusable.

Moreover, there are credible reports that the government completely ignored the level of devastation and suffering in areas where the hurricane did the greatest damage, and the reports further stated that these neglected areas were in parishes and areas which overwhelmingly voted for the opposition party in the recent election. At the same time, relief was rushed to areas represented by the governing political party.

This cannot be excused as mere coincidence. To have confidence in government that there would be no discrimination by those in charge would be to deny history. But as bad as such behaviours are and should be condemned, there are major concerns about corruption by those who will seek to enrich themselves.

The unprecedented levels of quantity of relief supplies and money flowing into Jamaica under the control of the government calls for vigilance. The temptation to skim, or to fill the individual pockets of some public officials and political operatives must be discussed, and mechanisms must be established immediately to prevent such corrupt practices.

GOOD AND BAD

The overwhelming majority of public officials are honest, hardworking Jamaicans dedicated to service to the nation and the people. Most of these servants of the people can be trusted. But there are many others who lack moral constraints and are easily tempted – big thieves and little thieves – who will seize on opportunities to enrich themselves from situations such as this. Regardless of the pilfered amount, a thief is a thief.

As a member of the Jamaican diaspora, I would be remiss if I failed to add my voice to those individuals and groups in Jamaica – in the media, private sector organisations, and civil society groups – who have eschewed political criticisms and threats to their safety to advocate for transparency and accountability. That advocacy includes calls for establishment of a broadly inclusive mechanism – balanced in its composition by the two major political parties, representatives of the private sector, the churches, and civil society.

Such mechanism must operate at the highest level of integrity and transparency to ensure that relief and recovery distribution are non-partisan and without reproach; that all affected Jamaicans are treated according to their needs; and that those involved in the process are held accountable for their conduct in carrying out their responsibilities in the relief and recovery exercise.

I unreservedly join in such advocacy. I condemn all political attacks on journalists who raise this issue and who call for establishment of a credible mechanism to prevent corruption in the relief process.

I urge others to demand that the government act immediately to establish such a mechanism – empowered to oversee the entire relief effort and to examine retroactively what had already occurred.

They should join in the advocacy for enactment of a specific law to punish those who would betray the trust imposed upon them to serve the people of Jamaica in this time of their greatest need.

I recognize that having a law to ensure accountability is not enough. The justice system is notorious for its snail’s pace in holding corrupt officials accountable, if ever at all. Jamaica needs a mechanism which will not only monitor relief efforts but must be empowered with authority to investigate corruption as it occurs in the relief process, publicly expose corrupt officials, and to refer such contemptuous behaviour for immediate prosecution of those who violate the sacred trust afforded them to govern, and particularly those who descend to the nadir of human behaviour by stealing desperately needed hurricane disaster relief.

WE MUST POLICE OURSELVES

I do not favour encouraging foreign governments or non-Jamaican institutions to police the actions of Jamaican officials – for corruption or another egregiousness. I do not encourage usurpation of Jamaica’s sovereignty and jurisdiction. Mutual legal assistance is acceptable, but we must police ourselves. Absent transparency and accountability pursuant to Jamaican law, I may be willing to make an exception – for corruption and misappropriation of hurricane relief and recovery assets.

I will support public exposure by foreign governments of corruption in the distribution of hurricane relief and recovery efforts, especially by foreign governments which provide relief assistance. They have the right to expect fairness and accountability in the distribution of the relief resources they have contributed and to hold responsible Jamaican government officials in this process. That’s their prerogative and I fully support it.

By the time this commentary goes to press I am expecting the Jamaican government led by Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness and the parliamentary opposition led by Mark Golding to have jointly agreed on a mechanism that ensures there is accountability for the equitable distribution of relief and recovery resources to all affected people and communities. That there is transparency in this undertaking, and that there is full accountability for every malfeasance and for any corruption that may creep into this operation.

Jamaica should expect no less. The Jamaican diaspora expect no less. We in the diaspora will be vigilant and will unhesitatingly expose misappropriation of relief and recovery resources.

Those who are not corrupt or complicit in egregious behaviour have nothing to fear. Those who are, have lots to fear, and will scream the loudest.

There are reports that journalists who bravely raise questions of accountability and transparency and raise the question of corruption are being threatened by political hacks. We in the diaspora will consistently defend freedom of the press. We will encourage the media to be vigilant, and we encourage journalists to be true to their profession – raising concerns and warnings about the corruption we all know is lurking in the shadows. We will support transparency and accountability. There are no specific times for courage, and there is no time for cowardice.

- Ambassador (Ret) Curtis A. Ward is an attorney-at-law; and former Ambassador/DPR of Jamaica to the United Nations Security Council. Email feedback columns@gleanerjm.com