DAVIESFACED WITH mounting demands for his resignation and a battery of public criticism, Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, yesterday apologised for the manner and tone in which he made comments last Sunday at a People's National Party (PNP) function regarding the handling of projects prior to last October's General Election.
Speaking at a PNP North West St. Andrew constituency conference last Sunday, Dr. Davies said the Government made public spending decisions in regards to some projects during the election campaign even though there were other pressing issues facing the country at the time.
"Last year on the road to the fourth term, there was no way I was going to stop any project which we had on the ground," Dr. Davies had said at the conference. "Even with the flooding, even with the other things them... there is no way I was going to stop the projects. If it was another time I probably would have held back on other things and deal with the flood damage... but there was no time and I am not going to make any apologies for it," he added.
Breaking his earlier defiance, Dr. Davies, in yesterday's statement, said he apologised "unreservedly for the manner in which he spoke and the interpretation arising from the comments". He said the tone in which he made the comments was "regrettable".
However, the Minister still staunchly defended decisions by the Government to continue spending on the projects during elections.
In his statement, he dismissed criticism that he had disregarded the national interest, ignored budget prudence and hidden the facts from the country to ensure a PNP victory.
He said that as Minister of Finance, he had and would always operate in a manner that places the interest of Jamaica first.
Mr. Davies, who had admitted in an earlier report that a continuation of the projects helped the PNP's cause as the Government in power, argued that no rational thinking Government seeking to remain in power would have done otherwise.
"This is why he (Dr. Davies) said during the election campaign he had repeatedly stated that whichever party wins the election, there would be tough fiscal decisions to be made going forward," the statement said.
Among those calling for the resignation of the Minister is Opposition spokesman on finance, Audley Shaw, and the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs. Mr. Shaw said last week, "On the basis of the smug admission of the Minister who has exhibited the highest levels of irresponsibility in managing the fiscal affairs of the country, I now repeat the call I made in Parliament that the Minister of Finance should resign."
