No conflict of interest, Haughton declares
Published:Tuesday | January 29, 2019 | 12:00 AM
Dr Andre Haughton yesterday sought to debunk any suggestions that there might be a conflict of interest with his recent appointment to the board of the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) and his decision to represent the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) for St James West Central in the next general election.
The economist and University of the West Indies lecturer was selected on Sunday by the PNP to challenge sitting Member of Parliament Marlene Malahoo Forte.
He was also recently named as one of the members of the new SLB board, following concerns raised by Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke about reports of management and governance issues with the previous board.
Haughton told The Gleaner yesterday that whatever he does, the ultimate objective is to serve Jamaica and to do his part to improve opportunities for young people.
“Whatever I’m doing now is for nation building, it’s not about colour, creed or race. It’s about what we think is necessary to move the country forward. As a [public] servant, it is my solemn duty to help out in whatever way I can,” he said.
“Student loan is not about the Jamaica Labour Party, it’s about the future of Jamaican tertiary-level students. They (SLB) have been faltering since they have been in existence with how to organise and put things together.
“So I think it is good that both parties now can look past party lines and see that whatever we are doing now, it is not just to benefit the green or the orange, but it’s to benefit the people of Jamaica, in particular, the young people,” he continued.
He added, “Even though I’m PNP, I will not politicise the future of the country. It’s about developing a sustainable model for the future, which must go beyond politics. So nobody can force me to pick a side where that is concerned.”