WEEKLY SELECTION OF EXCERPTS AND QUOTES

Today we begin a new series, 'At the Podium', with excerpts of speeches made at events throughout Jamaica. Send your speeches to editorial@gleanerjm.com.

1. Contractor General Dirk Harrison is imploring all stakeholders to assist his office in a renewed fight against corruption.

"It cannot be business as usual. We cannot keep 'passing the buck', waiting for the next generation or the next person to solve or begin to seriously tackle the ills of today. We must be prepared to do whatever it takes, for however long it takes to continue, renew, reshape our strategy in our fight against the abominable crime called corruption," he said.

"If we intend to make a difference, collectively, we must work together as we develop strategies and guidelines to fight crime," he said.

"I, therefore, invite my countrymen to tell us what you know and we will take the fight to the corrupt. We will protect the whistleblowers and report wrongdoing in the confines of observing fairness, the laws of natural justice, and seek to make Jamaica a better place to live, work and play," he said.

- Dirk Harrison speaking after being sworn in as the country's fifth contractor general at King's House.

2. "If we were to put aside all the eloquence and 'politically correct' speeches, if we were to look in the mirror at Jamaica at 50, would we make our forefathers like Sir Alexander Bustamante proud? Apart from achievements in sports, music, art, culture and science, where are we as a nation socially, economically, politically, and spiritually? Would Bustamante offer us, as the carriers of the torch, a word of congratulations?

Alexander Bustamante was known for many things.

He believed in every Jamaican's ability to contribute to nation building.

He rejected none, no matter the creed, colour or class.

He appreciated the strength of a woman and respected her great potential for nation building.

He afforded everyone an opportunity, and believed in private investment and economic growth, but not at the expense of the less privileged.

He was not only just, he insisted on justice.

He was willing to put aside his own comforts, desires, and even his personal safety, laying down his life, on many occasions, and acting according to his conviction.

He not only understood the art of politics, but he also understood and appreciated the role and responsibilities of a leader.

Today, we are not seeing leadership at its best. We are seeing excuses for poor management, misuse and abuse of positions and privileges masquerading as "people power" and love of the poor.

- Paula Kerr-Jarrett ... speaking at the birthday celebration of Sir Alexander Bustamante in Blenheim, Hanover.

3. "For us at the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), we were struck by his humility and the simplicity of his approach to things. Despite all his achievements, he was always available to listen and to offer advice. What might be surprising to persons who don't know him very well is his willingness to seek and to take advice. I recall on numerous occasions when I sat with him to discuss issues confronting us.

Professor Miller, having outlined the situation from his perspective, would quietly ask, "So what do you think?" It did not take me long to learn that he was not asking just for the sake of asking, but that my view would be part of the decision-making process.

"He loves to write. He is of the view that it provides greater clarity of the issues. So very often I found myself on the receiving end of some long dissertations which, in truth, did serve the intended purpose of elucidating the issues. Don't think you could ever get away with not reading it however, as he was never satisfied with a response which said, "It's ok". He wanted an honest opinion whether or not his views were supported, and encouraged me to make changes which, more often than not, he graciously accepted."

- Orrette Fisher, director of elections' tribute to Professor Errol Miller, retired ECJ chairman - The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

4. "As we continue to build out across Jamaica, more schools will have access to our technology, narrowing the gap to achieving our goal of universal access. We are pleased that 13 new schools in Clarendon and Spanish Town will be added to our Building Leaders Through Technology programme by the end of March.

We also intend to support more "centres of excellence" and to enhance and expand some of the existing technology in schools. For example, a few of our schools in the building leaders' programme are already using videoconferencing technology for lesson delivery, training and cultural exchange programmes. We want to see more of this taking place in rural and urban schools all across Jamaica.

We also want to encourage more participatory involvement from our parents, and so we will be undertaking a few activities to do just that in many of the communities we serve.

- Denise Williams, director corporate communications, Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, speaking at the Flow In My School Awards on February 21.

5. "MegaMart Mandeville is an example of our capital markets' team's focus on developing innovative financing solutions. The Build-Own-Lease model engineered by our team for the expansion of the MegaMart network of superstores was the first such for the island and highlights the power of cooperation, imagination and original thinking.

MegaMart, in just over a decade, has established a winning formula for delivering unique shopping experiences for its customers around the island. With a user-friendly retail environment, designed with shopper habits in mind, and a corps of employees trained to deliver on customers' expectations, MegaMart has stamped an enduring and transformative footprint on our retail landscape.

This new outlet will provide a superior shopping experience while also yielding new opportunities for farmers and small business suppliers in the communities served by MegaMart.

The Scotia team relishes the idea that our Build Own Lease model has given MegaMart the opportunity to build its brand here in central Jamaica, and create new revenue earning opportunities for agricultural entrepreneurs and MSMEs in these challenging economic times."

- Bruce Bowen, president and CEO, Scotiabank Group, at the opening of MegaMart Mandeville.

If we intend to make a difference, collectively, we must work together as we develop strategies and guidelines to fight crime.

- Contractor GenerAl Dirk Harrison