Brakes on issuing December driver's licences irks PAC
Published:Thursday | February 24, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter
HEAD OF the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) Paul Clemetson became the target of a chorus of criticism from members of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday after his agency was accused of denying Jamaicans the right to obtain a driver's licence in December.
Clemetson told the committee that based on tradition, the ITA did not issue driver's licences at the end of the year.
He argued that statistics had shown that new drivers were more likely to be involved in collisions.
The ITA head said his agency had taken "the position of a cessation of issuance of driver's licences in the period of December".
Supporting evidence
However, PAC members insisted that Clemetson should produce data to substantiate his claim.
Unable to back up his comment with data, Clemetson directed committee members to the Road Safety Unit for the information they requested.
He later retreated from his position after committee members challenged what they charged was an unsubstantiated assertion.
"Do you know of any other country on Earth where they don't issue driver's licences in December?" committee member Andrew Gallimore asked.
PAC chairman Dr Omar Davies said Clemetson had arrived at an arbitrary conclusion, not supported by facts.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Works Dr Alwin Hales said the portfolio minister, Mike Henry, had asked that the current arrangement for December be reviewed.
Announcement to be made
He said Henry would be making an announcement on the matter shortly.
"I think the concerns expressed by Mr Clemetson have to be weighed against the rights of Jamaicans to at least be able to do their competency testing," Dr Hales said.
The PAC had summoned the finance and the transport and works ministries to respond to concerns set out in the Auditor General's Department's annual report for the period ended March 31, 2010.
'Do you know of any other country on Earth where they don't issue driver's licences in December?'