No, thank you!
Published:Sunday | February 27, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Contractor general says he does not want special prosecutor post because it lacks teeth
Tyrone Reid, Sunday Gleaner Reporter
WHILE Prime Minister Bruce Golding would love to have someone who is cut from the same cloth as Contractor General Greg Christie occupying the Office of the Special Prosecutor, it certainly will not be Christie, who says he is not interested in the job.
Christie contends that the special prosecutor is a step in the right direction but thinks the model falls just short of being "special".
"The concept, while commendable, is lacking in certain critical elements which, if not addressed, will significantly reduce the independence and effectiveness of not just the office, but that of the office holder as well," Christie wrote in response to Sunday Gleaner queries.
He also made it clear he would not accept the special prosecutor job, if he was asked to do so.
The special prosecutor legislation is seeking to repeal the Corruption (Prevention) and Parliament (Integrity of Members) acts and to establish, as a commission of Parliament, the special prosecutor, who would receive statutory declarations from parliamentarians and public officials of their assets and liabilities. The special prosecutor would also have the power to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption.
Earlier this month, the prime minister told Parliament that he would like to see somebody emerge in the special prosecutor job who approaches it with the ferocity and the seriousness Christie brings to the table. Golding's remarks came as he opened the debate on the Special Prosecutor Bill in the House of Representatives.
no guess at successor
Meanwhile, as Christie reiterated his intention to demit office on the last day of November 2012 under the terms of his contract, he said it would be inappropriate to comment on who should be his successor. However, he feels that this person must also be fearless, forthright, dispassionate and disciplined but fair in his or her approach.
Christie also noted that his successor must "be prepared to boldly confront those who will need confronting" and "be able to stand firm against politicians and all special interests", as well as, "be prepared to suffer the occasional public ridicule, abuse and criticism which will, undoubtedly, be directed at him from time to time".
"I believe that my time with the Office of the Contractor General (OCG), over the past five (5) years, has been productively spent and that at the end of my term, it will be time for me to pass the baton to another".
For those who think that the announcement of his intention to demit office at the end of his seven-year tenure means that he is winding down now, think again.
"It is my intention to complete the unexpired term of my tenure with no less vigour, energy, independence and forthrightness than I have brought to my job over the past five years," Christie said.
He told The Sunday Gleaner that since taking up the reins of the OCG he has had many disappointments. Chief among them is the failure of the state to do what it must to stamp out the scourge of corruption.
"If I were to choose only one, it would certainly be the realisation that, from all indications, there appears to be the absence of the political will, the desire, the sincerity and even the courage, on the part of the State and certain specified State functionaries, to decisively combat corruption in Jamaica and to adequately empower and support the OCG in its efforts to root out corruption, impropriety and irregularity from the Government contracting process," said Christie.
transforming the ocg
On the other hand, Mr Christie said that the zenith of his achievements is the successful revamping and transforming the OCG into a "best in class" organisation.
"We believe that we have achieved this in a number of ways," he said. "The impediments that remain, and the issues which must be resolved to make the OCG more effective are neither of our doing, nor are they within our realm of control."
He added: "Unfortunately, however, they will persist as long as the OCG's many remedial recommendations continue to be ignored and so long as the State fails to grant, to the OCG, criminal investigatory and prosecutorial powers."
Christie believes that grave harm is being caused to Jamaica because of the failure of the administration and Parliament to act decisively, proactively and aggressively on its several recommendations to enhance the fight against corruption.
"By all indications, corruption, in Jamaica, has become a latent but malignant scourge which we have good reason to believe is costing the Jamaican taxpayer millions, if not billions, of dollars each year," he noted.