Public Accountability Inspectorate to be established to look into Petrojam - Holness

A Public Accountability Inspectorate is to be put place to look into the management of the controversy-plagued Petrojam.

The state-owned oil refinery has been in the public spotlight over allegations of nepotism, corruption and financial mismanagement and is the subjects of separate investigations by oversight entities.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Leader and Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the Inspectorate while addressing a meeting of the JLP Central Executive over the weekend.

Holness further said that the new board will ensure that Petrojam is in good shape and, that any strategic decisions taken by the Government, is fulfilled in a timely manner.
 
“We are very committed as a Government to ensure that our energy security and our ability to provide the country with a reliable energy source,” said Prime Minister Holness.

He said the government is committed to its pledge to be accountable to Jamaicans.

“When we won the election I said that the cost of victory is going to be accountability because we were able to convince the public that we will be an accountable Government. If we proceed towards accountability as the objective, then every member of the party, even without enforcement, accepts that if something goes wrong, take responsibility, that is ultimate accountability,” said Holness
 
According to him, while the Government continues to outperform its predecessor there are threats such as corruption that hovers over his administration.
 
He encouraged all members of the JLP central executive, the Cabinet, and the party to refrain from the mere perception of corruption.
 
“So the issue of corruption, we have to address it; the perception of corruption, we have to address it, both at the Cabinet level and at the Parish Council level. I want you to address in your own little way and if there are any realities of corruption, if you are doing anything, stop it; if you plan, don’t start it and if you are in it,  come out of it. I can only warn you. This perception is just not good for us”, said Holness.

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