Worth it; not quite
Published:Friday | April 1, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Country divided on value of Manatt-Dudus commission
Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer
The presentation of evidence to the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry is nearing the end and already several private-sector leaders who clamoured for the hearing are arguing it was worth it.
This is in sharp contrast to assertions by a majority of Jamaicans who spoke to The Gleaner yesterday that the commission, which is expected to cost the country $78 million, was "a waste of time and taxpayers' money".
The heads of the two most influential private-sector lobbies, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), while reserving final judgement until the commission produces its report, said the enquiry was good for Jamaica's democracy.
"I think it was important from the aspect of accountability and transparency, which will come at some cost," said Milton Samuda, the JCC head.
"I certainly don't think it was a waste of time."
PSOJ President Joseph M. Matalon said he had concerns about some of the behaviour displayed throughout the hearing, but insisted that the transparent manner in which the enquiry has been conducted was "certainly worthwhile" as an exercise in democracy.
The Reverend Lenworth Anglin, the convenor of an umbrella church group that supported calls for the commission of enquiry, hailed the proceedings as a victory for democracy.
"I don't think anyone can deny that. The kind of room for expression, and the exposure, I think it's good for democracy," said Anglin, who made it clear that he was giving his personal views.
Families Against State Terrorism convenor, Yvonne McCalla-Sobers, however, suggested that so far the commission has failed to meet its primary objective of establishing the truth surrounding the Government's handling of the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke and the subsequent hiring of US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.
"I have not heard anything that I did not know before. As to the truth I was looking for, I have not seen it," said McCalla-Sobers.
Anglin was also critical of the level of disrespect displayed throughout the hearing, pointing out that Wednesday was a "sad day for me".
"It has been the pattern. It has kind of shrouded and clouded a lot of what might have had some effectiveness (on the enquiry)," he said.
Lost focus
Dr Beverly Scott, executive director of the Family and Parenting Centre in Montego Bay, St James, in a scathing response to The Gleaner, said the enquiry has lost its focus and has descended into a forum where political opponents are trying to score points.
"I don't think it has anything to do with the nation's business. I think it's a political forum to show the nation that each of them has the upper hand, as it were," said Scott.
"It's a performance for people to take sides and I really don't like it. It has nothing to do with what happened," she added.
Scott said the disrespect on all sides is a bad example for Jamaicans, especially since "already we are so hostile against each other".
For most Jamaicans who responded through The Gleaner's Facebook page, the commission of enquiry did not meet their expectations.
One person, using the name Rosemarie Campbell, said while she has learnt a lot through the enquiry, politics has made a mockery of the proceedings.