EDITORIAL - Mr Christie's successor

We do not believe that Andrew Holness, the opposition leader, intends Greg Christie's successor to be a literal replica of the outgoing contractor general. But we get the point.

The new man, or woman, must have Mr Christie's spunk and sense of independence in the policing of government contracts.

It is in this context that Mr Holness warned that he would resist any attempt to appoint a weakling who would dilute the power of the office.

This newspaper, obviously, supports this position, but with one mild proviso: robust and aggressive oversight by the contractor general should not result in a procurement gridlock by the Government.

In that regard, Mr Christie's imminent departure is an opportunity for a clinical review of the procurement rules for accelerating moves towards a single anti-corruption agency with prosecutorial powers - with which Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has signalled agreement.

New approach needed

And we recommend a new approach for the identification of the next contractor general, which would help to bring transparency to the process.

First, though, whatever may be his shortcomings - and his critics claim them to be many - this newspaper believes that Jamaica owes a debt of gratitude to Greg Christie.

In a country where partisan politics too often influences people's positions on issues, Mr Christie has been refreshingly non-partisan. Some might describe him as a cross-party basher. Politicians on both sides of the divide have felt the whip of, and have been offended by, his trenchant official reports and comments on their actions.

Mr Christie, too, has been unafraid to speak out about those public officials who, he believes, have not sufficiently brought the weight of their office, and prosecutorial authority, to fight against corruption. His quarrels with the director of public prosecutions are well-known.

Further, he effectively used the media to lift the profile of the Office of the Contractor General, and himself, in the process, winning public support and appropriating authority. A combination of his use of the media to publicise cases, and threat of the enforcement of the law, often frightened officials into adherence of the rules.

Accused of overreaching

But Mr Christie has also been accused of overreaching and quibbling, with the result of slowing down potential projects - a claim that is at the centre of his current stand-off with the Government over the appointment of an independent committee to help it develop and monitor three major investment projects by Chinese entities.

Although our conclusion is based only on anecdotal evidence, the contractor general appears, in this case, not to carry the public support of the past. Indeed, complaints against Mr Christie are one of the few things on which there has been bipartisanship in the legislature - which he might deem to be a good thing.

All this having been said, we believe that any fear that Mr Holness might harbour of a corrupt process to appoint a new contractor general is not only premature, but most likely unfounded.

We have confidence in the governor general, Sir Patrick Allen, to do the right thing and appoint an individual worthy of the job.

We would suggest, though, that Sir Patrick advertise the position, announce the qualities being sought and the weight to be applied to specific attributes. He should also announce the shortlisted candidates before a final appointment is made.

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.