Letter of the Day | Good governance requires fairness

The Editor, Sir:

I listened with some concerns to the question and answer session of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee in Parliament concerning the Petrojam issues.

I was amazed that professionals were unappreciative of the dangers and possible implications of hiring friends or relatives, even if those persons have the necessary qualifications for the job. Good governance requires fairness to be maintained at all times and must not only be done but must appear to be done.

What is more disconcerting is that none of the persons questioned appear to appreciate that their actions were wrong.

No appreciation of wrongdoing

They also were emboldened by the politicians who supported those actions as acceptable. I am sure they all knew better, but good sense is often overtaken by tribal politics. It is said that, "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." But which right thinking Jamaican will stand up and voice their objection to the actions of those individuals who hire their "friends" to perform nineteen (19) contracts totaling ($21 m), who in the media, private sector, civil society will "bell the cat."

Unless others outside of the political groupings do so, those actions will continue to be considered acceptable. If we are to build a better Jamaica, we must speak out and demand that standards be kept, failing which there must be consequences that will act as a deterrent to all, regardless of their political affiliation.

Valerie Neita-Robertson Q.C.

Attorney-at-Law