EDITORIAL: Omer Thomas should clear the air

Omer Thomas has resurfaced from inconspicuity. For those who may not remember who he is, Thomas resigned as head of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica after persistent questions were raised in the media about the authenticity of his qualification.

An unsuccessful candidate for the Jamaica Labour Party, Thomas also held positions as head of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority and adviser to a former agriculture minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, up to 2008.

Like many other matters of public interest, Dr Thomas' case seemed to have been quietly swept aside. In this country, we have become used to the hand of discipline being held back by political associations, friendships and other such ties.

Qualifications are an important part of the professional credentials of a person who is seeking employment. Therefore, recruitment and employment have a direct bearing on a person's qualification. The country was never given an explanation as to whether or not Dr Thomas had perpetuated fraud on the people of Jamaica.

Did he mislead the Government by overstating his qualifications, and were the taxpayers of the country shortchanged into paying for something that was undeliverable? If that were the case, what were the consequences? These are important questions that need to be answered and ought not to be evaded by the powers that be.

obfuscation over openness?

Now Dr Thomas has resurfaced. Agriculture Minister Robert Montague seemed at pains to explain to the media that the goodly gentleman has been employed by him in his capacity as an officer of the Jamaica Labour Party. Is this a case of obfuscation over openness? Are we seeing another attempt to place party interests above the national interest?

One could deduce from the minister's arguments that while Dr Thomas may not be appropriate for employment in the public sector, he has certain skills and competencies which would be useful to the party.

Honesty is an essential quality for leadership. And the Jamaican public has been clamouring for some basic honesty in our politics.

If there are question marks hanging over people's heads, it is difficult for them to be successful at leading others. Indeed, honesty, integrity and trustworthiness are prerequisites to being effective in all roles, whether in the private or public sector.

So even for his own sake, Dr Thomas should attempt to clear the air and let Jamaica know about the bona fides of his qualifications. If, indeed, he is qualified as stated, it is rather unfair for him to have this cloud over his head.

And in its own recruiting efforts, the public sector should be very thorough in verifying the authenticity of persons' qualifications because fraud and lying about past accomplishments are said to be on the rise. This newspaper wants to record its own condemnation of persons who present bogus qualifications and suggest that where they are found, they should be appropriately punished.

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