Conscientious ministers must be commended
Published:Friday | March 16, 2012 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I learned that some government ministers in the current administration are driving their personal vehicles in the execution of their public duties. Information Minister Sandrea Falconer named several ministers, herself included, who have not yet been assigned their vehicles, reason being that some outgoing ministers chose to exercise their option to purchase the vehicles that were assigned to them.
Minister Falconer and company must be commended for this exemplary act. This is the type of commitment that sends a very positive signal and message to the public at large as to what Jamaica needs to drive economic and social progress. I am truly heartened by this.
The next best thing would be for these officials to hold strain and maintain this stance until the end of the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Obviously, the requisite allowances for maintenance and gasolene would apply.
My hope is that the receipts from the sales mentioned have been duly collected. I would like to suggest that these funds be held in abeyance in an interest-bearing fund, the returns from which would be used to aid in defraying the cost of purchasing the new vehicles. Ultimately, this could be repurposed into a type of revolving fund.
Let us pray that this is the beginning of a new era of governance in which good conscience will be the guiding force behind policies and laws.
M. EDWARDS