Carolyn Cooper | Jamaica moves to the tune of $55 million

It seems as if another embattled minister of government may soon be joining his demoted colleagues in the office of the prime minister. Two Thursdays ago, Christopher Tufton, minister of health and wellness, angrily told a journalist who asked if he was having an affair, “It’s none of your business.” He elaborated: “I would prefer you to stick to questions around the operations of the ministry, and just as I leave you to your private life, I would like you to allow me mine. Thank you very much.”

But the question of the affair might turn out to be entangled with the operations of the ministry after all. Tufton’s private life may very well have impaired his judgement about how to conduct the business of his ministry. If the award of multimillion-dollar contracts to Market Me Consulting Ltd for the “Jamaica Moves” project proves to be irregular, then the whole affair becomes a very public matter. The campaign has, undoubtedly, been a huge success. But at what cost?

Last Tuesday, I visited the website of the Ministry of Health and Wellness to read the promised report on the contracts negotiated by Market Me Consulting Ltd. The document is called a ‘chronicle’. I don’t know if this is a standard government term for reports of this nature. The word usually suggests an account of weighty, historical events. ‘Chronicle’ also has an authoritative biblical ring. Was it intended to be reassuring?

PILLOW TALK

The report confirms that Market Me Consulting Ltd sent an unsolicited proposal to the Ministry of Health and Wellness to create and execute the Jamaica Moves campaign. The company seems to be very good at marketing itself, as its name suggests. Sending an unsolicited proposal is a tricky business. It’s solicitation. That word has a double meaning. First, it’s the act of requesting or trying to get something from someone. In this case, it’s a contract from the ministry.

The second meaning of solicitation is the act of boldly approaching someone and making an offer of yours or someone else’s services as a sex worker. I dare not suggest that sending an unsolicited proposal to the Ministry of Health and Wellness could possibly have been the result of pillow talk. That would be completely out of order.

DISREPUTABLE GOVERNANCE

On July 5, The Gleaner published a report by Erica Virtue with this alarming headline: “Voters not moved by corruption, say top pollsters – Johnson; Anderson says J’cans see it as a way of life.” This must be very reassuring to Andrew Holness. As the scandals in his administration pile up, he can confidently assume that none of it will make a scrap of difference to voters. But Holness does not intend to take any chances.

At a meeting of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Area Council I last Sunday, Holness speculated about how the average Jamaican would weigh the cost of scandal versus the benefit of the Government’s performance: “So just as an ordinary voter walking to the polling station, bearing in mind the noise that is happening, the issues that have been pointing [sic] out and bearing in mind the performance of the Government, the direction of the Government, the commitment of the Government, the certainty of the governance, what could I do? I must vote for the Jamaica Labour Party.”

What is Holness’ rationale for that decision? “Because when it boils down to it, it is a simple game, you know, of scandal for scandal.” Instead of making amends for the noisy scandals of his administration, Holness intends to engage in a competition that is not really simple. The ruling party is at a definite disadvantage in the contest of scandal for scandal. It controls the country’s finances. Unscrupulous public servants can steal and cover up. But if and when the crimes are exposed, the credibility of the entire Government is immediately threatened. By contrast, the opposition party’s acts of corruption can seem distant.

Andrew Holness fancies himself as a man of principle who does not put up with corruption. By taking away ministerial responsibilities from delinquent Cabinet members, he appears to be punishing them. But it’s nothing but an illusion if he reassigns them to his own office. What message is Holness broadcasting by turning the Office of the Prime Minister into a den of disgrace? That he upholds the reprehensible behaviour of his colleagues? Worse, that he himself is a prime candidate for the office of disgrace?

It is the certainty of disreputable governance that could finally drive indifferent voters to stand up for principle and simply refuse to accept corruption as an inevitable way of life. No matter which party is in power! We can exercise our right to governance that is far more ethical than scandal for scandal. Jamaica can move forward. And it doesn’t have to cost $55 million.

- Carolyn Cooper, PhD, is a specialist on culture and development. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and karokupa@gmail.com.