EDITORIAL- PM's misstep on Azan

Richard Azan's reappointment to the Cabinet has struck a crippling blow to the principle of accountability. Resigning from the Cabinet was the decent thing for him to do back in September. We submit that his reappointment on Wednesday celebrates all that is toxic about our politics.

The contractor general has stated emphatically that the North West Clarendon member of parliament's actions were tantamount to "political corruption" when he caused several shops to be erected illegally on parish council lands at the Spaldings Market. He is also accused of facilitating payment to the contractor through his constituency office and was referred for prosecution. Accordingly, Mr Azan's authority to do what he did remains in dispute, even if the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ruled that there was no criminal wrongdoing.

We continue to hear utterances about the Government's desire to strengthen governance and accountability, yet when the mechanisms are put in place, there are moves to undermine the authority of such institutions and to wear them down to nothingness.

The same can be said of the Independent Commission of Investigations, established to be a watchdog for police actions. We now see various attempts to water down its effectiveness. We urge the Government to respect and protect these institutions designed to encourage accountability, for they have a most important role, namely, to shine the cleansing light of public scrutiny on the actions of all public officials.

AH NUH NUTTEN?

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is clearly submitting to the 'ah nuh nutten' culture that has become so pervasive in this country. For example, the lottery scam is seen as harmless because no violence is involved. It is simply taking away money from those who have it and giving to those who don't.

This is why entire communities have become sucked into this criminal vortex and are reluctant to provide information about the criminals and their activities. Some go further and block roads for these criminals because they can see nothing wrong if, for instance, someone is involved in drug running as long as he provides money to feed their hungry bellies.

Similarly, constituents and supporters argue that Mr Azan did not commit a crime. However, as an honourable member of the country's Cabinet, he circumvented procurement rules, but this can somehow be justified if he is providing help for the needy. Hard worker Richard Azan might be, but he has demonstrated that he is also one for flouting the rules.

Accountability is pointless without consequences. In most spheres of human endeavour, persons who flout rules are held responsible and made to answer for their lapses. The notable exception is, of course, politics. It is clear that the prime minister has seen nothing wrong with Mr Azan's actions, for she has not as much as conceded that corrective action is necessary.

The subject of accountability is one that this newspaper has tackled from time to time in the hope that the authorities will acknowledge that the goals of accountability can only be realisable if appropriate oversight and sanctions are applied.

It is encouraging to acknowledge that there are many voices, including some independent ones, that have rejected Mr Azan's reappointment. The clear message is that many people have a vested interest in the future of this country and they will not tolerate compromise on accountability. They are prepared to agitate for better political management.

We hope the prime minister is listening.

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.