Access to information requests often ignored
Published:Tuesday | February 1, 2022 | 12:08 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
I read with interest the letter titled ‘Jamaica caught in a systematic cycle of corruption’. For one thing, countries that are much less corrupt ‘make information widely available’. Prime Minister Andrew Holness promised, when elected in 2016, to make corruption a thing of the past.
Well, I have three access to information (ATI) requests outstanding for over two years with the St Mary Municipal Corporation (one being ready access to the council minutes) – the ATI office seems unable to help at all.
I have read the Jamaica Environment Trust’s report, ‘Red Dirt’, concerning the bauxite-alumina industry. In it, the agency stated that their biggest challenge was getting information from government entities, even with utilising the ATI route. Out of 27 requests, only four were responded to in the stipulated 30 days, and 12 remain outstanding (from 2020). It may be nonchalance, but I think it is more likely a mixture of incompetence and corruption.
The ATI Act specifies “a fine of a maximum of $500,000 or six months imprisonment, or both, are applicable” for wilfully preventing the disclosure of official documents to which the public has the right to access. Has this sanction as yet been applied, at least as a deterrent?
PAUL WARD
Oracabessa, St Mary