Azan should pack it in

By Devon Dick

RICHARD AZAN, minister of state in the transport, works and housing ministry and member of parliament (MP) for North West Clarendon, gave unauthorised instructions for the building of shops on property owned by the parish council, engaged in the unauthorised employment of a contractor, and was aware of unauthorised collection of rent from vendors. Minister of Local Government Noel Arscott has already declared that Azan was wrong and the Clarendon Parish Council has sought to regularise the anomalies. Is there still a case for sanction against Azan?

It seems that Azan did not intend to make a financial gain from his unauthorised actions. Therefore, if he was not being corrupt, then he displayed gross incom-petence. Here was an easy task to get parish council approval and put things to tender and engage in a government and private-sector partnership. Instead, Azan made a hash of the improvement for vendors and residents alike. And now, instead, of the contractor retrieving his money over time, the parish council has to find money up front and recover it over time. Azan's awkward handling has embarrassed the Government. This was a glorious opportunity to record a success story. He did not follow due process, which was not rocket science. For gross ineptitude, there should be sanction.

The sanction cannot only be that he should resign as a minister of state, but he should also take leave of absence as an MP. Persons who are calling for him to resign as minister of state only have missed the point that he was acting in his capacity as MP. Suppose he was not a minister of state, then would there be no sanction? His role as MP has to come under scrutiny and, in acknowledging his failings, he should take leave of absence for at least three months.

compromised office

Furthermore, the rent receipt bears Azan's imprint as a justice of the peace (JP), though not his signature. If someone has used his JP stamp without his consent, or someone made a JP stamp with his name without his consent, then Azan should report the matter to the police. And if he gave permission for the use of his stamp or knew that his stamp was being used, then he has compromised the office of justice of the peace and should resign as JP.

Additionally, TVJ and CVM TV reported that Azan, in his defence, recommended the reading of Matthew 5:1-12. This Sermon on the Mount mentions meekness as a virtue. Meekness is the attitude of receiving injuries and insults patiently with the belief that God will vindicate us. However, Azan did not sound repentant, but appeared defiant. If he had apologised and recognised the error of his ways with a pledge to do better next time, then pardon could have been exercised.

Also, Matthew 5:10 states, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." However, Azan, as a Christian, needs to recognise there is a difference between a Christian being killed and a person being killed because he is a Christian. No evidence has been adduced to show that Azan is being reprimanded because he is a Christian or that he ordered the erection of the shops, etc. as a mandate from Christ or as his Christian duty.

Azan should pack it in as minister of state and justice of the peace, and take leave of absence as MP as he awaits the findings and recom-mendations of the Office of the Contractor General. He should use the time to meditate on those beatitudes so that he can come back and better serve his constituents and country.

Rev Devon Dick, PhD, is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church, St Andrew, and author of 'From Rebellion to Riot' as well as 'The Cross and Machete'. Send comments to columns@gleanerjm.com.