LETTER OF THE DAY - Supporting the CG

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I HAVE read The Gleaner report where the contractor general (CG) has renewed his call for more aggressive action in the fight against corruption.

On reading The Gleaner blogs, I see where members of the public support his call, but as the public, shouldn't we be doing more? The prime minister had promised the nation accountability as part of his party's mandate. It is three years and counting since, and hope wanes. If the Government desires the country to be free of corruption, politicians and government officials need to be made into examples. Almost daily we hear of corrupt officials being penalised abroad. In Jamaica, we have protracted court cases, where we lose focus; we call for enquiries that are costly; and we ask for reports. Yet, we do not act upon results or recommendations in the appropriate manner.

As a demonstrating public, we need to rise in unison with the contractor general. People have the power, as was demonstrated in the recent decrease in the ad valorem tax on gas, the establishment of the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry, etc. Although it's hardly likely, the Opposition's support on the thorny issue of corruption would be welcomed.

Citizens, let us try to get the Government's attention without resorting to burning and looting, even though it may seem that this is the only language they understand. Destroyed infrastructure costs taxpayers. If we, the public, become aggressive in a law-abiding way on corruption, our seriousness will reflect positively on Transparency International's corruption perception indices.

Sir, in the weeks ahead, I am anticipating the call from various organisations supporting the contractor general.

Jamaica "a fi all a wi".

I am, etc.,

Val Mac

vj0963@msn.com