By Vernon Daley, Staff ReporterTHE CONTROVERSY surrounding recent statements made by Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, found its way into the House of Representatives yesterday, with the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) moving a motion calling for his removal from the post of Finance and Planning Minister.
The no-confidence motion which was moved by Opposition spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw, was triggered by Dr. Davies' recent statements, which suggested that he made financial decisions leading up to last October's General Election designed to give an advantage to the governing People's National Party (PNP).
Following through on a threat to bring the matter to Parliament, Mr. Shaw asked the House to take note of the "admitted irresponsible actions of the Minister during the previous administration and declare him a person unfit and unsuitable to continue to hold the constitutional office of Minister of Finance".
Debate on the motion will take place at a later date.
Before the start of the parliamentary sitting, visitors in the gallery shouted their support for Dr. Davies, but he sat quietly while the motion was being moved. His Government colleagues, however, launched verbal attacks at members of the Opposition, especially Mr. Shaw. Speaker of the House, Michael Peart, had to bang his gavel several times to bring the uproar under control.
Mr. Shaw contended that the Minister's statement severely ruptured public trust and undermined his ability to act fairly and impartially in the interest of the country.
"... The nation's fiscal accounts have been placed in desperate straits as a direct consequence of the Minister's admitted irresponsible decision," Mr. Shaw said.
Speaking at a PNP North West St. Andrew constituency conference two Sundays ago, Dr. Davies admitted he made public spending decisions on some major projects during last year's election campaign, even though there were other urgent matters to be dealt with, such as the problems associated with the flood rains.
"Last year, on the road to the fourth term, there was no way that I was going to stop any project which we had on the ground," he told party supporters. "If it was another time, I probably would have held back on other things and dealt with the flood damage... but there was no time and I am not going to make any apologies for that."
Shaken by harsh criticism, he subsequently apologised for the "tone and manner" of the comments. This has, however, not abated calls from various individuals and interest groups for his resignation.
Despite these calls, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson threw his support behind the Finance Minister on Monday.
"The Minister retains my full confidence as Prime Minister. I firmly believe that he will discharge with diligence and integrity, his fiduciary responsibilities," Mr. Patterson told reporters at a press briefing.
He said the Cabinet would also be issuing a statement backing the Minister. However, up to press time last night, the statement was still not released.
