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Private sector demands more from Bruce after Manatt
JamaicaObserver.com
Friday, May 21, 2010
BUSINESS interests are demanding a timetable for the commitments to improving governance, made by Prime Minister Bruce Golding during his apology to the nation this week over his involvement in the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips scandal.
The Council of Presidents – consisting the heads of 64 private sector organisations – who met over the past week, said their members were "deeply disappointed" by the behaviour of the Government.
GOLDING... told Parliament last Tuesday that he had sanctioned the hiring of the US law firm
GOLDING... told Parliament last Tuesday that he had sanctioned the hiring of the US law firm
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"While some members of our respective organisations feel that calls for the resignation of the Prime Minister and/or sanctions against all those responsible for bringing the Government and people of Jamaica into disrepute are justified, we are all more concerned about the good governance of the country going forward," said the statement issued today.
Encouraged by the prime minister's words, the private sector want a specific timetable for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration to achieve specific short and long term commitments.
"With this in mind, we intend to put on the agenda of the next Partnership for Transformation meeting a proposal for the creation of a specific timetable for these commitments, separating those that are achievable in the shorter-term and others that are achievable in the longer-term."
The private sector believes the commitments are vital to restoring trust in governance and says that it will do its best, within its own organisations, to help ensure these commitments are met.
"However, in support of the principles of transparency and accountability and particularly in light of the new revelations made yesterday by (deputy prime minister) Horace Chang, we join others in the call for full disclosure in Parliament of the “Manatt Affair” as a precursor to resumption of the private sector’s participation in the Partnership for Transformation discussions."
Strong words were also reserved against threats and criminal acts perpetrated against those who have spoken out over the Manatt scandal
"We encourage all citizens of Jamaica to stand firmly against these acts of intimidation and continue to speak out and to actively contribute to the political, economic and social transformation of our country. We particularly want to encourage and support young people not to be deterred from expressing their views."
The private sector also expressed its concern for the welfare of the residents of Tivoli Gardens and neighbouring communities and called upon the prime minister to restore order in his constituency. Residents there have erected roadblocks to prevent security forces from executing an arrest warrant for local don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
The United States have requested the extradition of Coke, a prominent JLP supporter, on guns and drug trafficking charges. It was because of his case that the Government, acting under the aegis of the JLP, recruited the services of Manatt, the US-based law firm, to lobby that country's government.
"Finally, we express our grave concern for the welfare and safety of the citizens of Tivoli Gardens and adjoining communities. We call on the Prime Minister to add his voice to diffuse the potentially explosive situation. The barricades must be removed so that law and order may be restored and the citizens may move about freely."
About the Council of Presidents:
The council is an informal body which meets occasionally on matters of national concern to reflect the view of the Jamaican private sector. It is is led by the five organisations which represent the entire private sector in the Partnership for Transformation.
Those organisations are, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), the MSME Alliance (MSME), the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). All five are of equal standing and through them the council represents 64 organisations.
Related stories:
Apologise, Bruce! JCC says PM has lost its respect and confidence
PM says sorry
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...ble-from-Bruce
JamaicaObserver.com
Friday, May 21, 2010
BUSINESS interests are demanding a timetable for the commitments to improving governance, made by Prime Minister Bruce Golding during his apology to the nation this week over his involvement in the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips scandal.
The Council of Presidents – consisting the heads of 64 private sector organisations – who met over the past week, said their members were "deeply disappointed" by the behaviour of the Government.
GOLDING... told Parliament last Tuesday that he had sanctioned the hiring of the US law firm
GOLDING... told Parliament last Tuesday that he had sanctioned the hiring of the US law firm 1/1 Encouraged by the prime minister's words, the private sector want a specific timetable for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration to achieve specific short and long term commitments.
"With this in mind, we intend to put on the agenda of the next Partnership for Transformation meeting a proposal for the creation of a specific timetable for these commitments, separating those that are achievable in the shorter-term and others that are achievable in the longer-term."
The private sector believes the commitments are vital to restoring trust in governance and says that it will do its best, within its own organisations, to help ensure these commitments are met.
"However, in support of the principles of transparency and accountability and particularly in light of the new revelations made yesterday by (deputy prime minister) Horace Chang, we join others in the call for full disclosure in Parliament of the “Manatt Affair” as a precursor to resumption of the private sector’s participation in the Partnership for Transformation discussions."
Strong words were also reserved against threats and criminal acts perpetrated against those who have spoken out over the Manatt scandal
"We encourage all citizens of Jamaica to stand firmly against these acts of intimidation and continue to speak out and to actively contribute to the political, economic and social transformation of our country. We particularly want to encourage and support young people not to be deterred from expressing their views."
The private sector also expressed its concern for the welfare of the residents of Tivoli Gardens and neighbouring communities and called upon the prime minister to restore order in his constituency. Residents there have erected roadblocks to prevent security forces from executing an arrest warrant for local don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
The United States have requested the extradition of Coke, a prominent JLP supporter, on guns and drug trafficking charges. It was because of his case that the Government, acting under the aegis of the JLP, recruited the services of Manatt, the US-based law firm, to lobby that country's government.
"Finally, we express our grave concern for the welfare and safety of the citizens of Tivoli Gardens and adjoining communities. We call on the Prime Minister to add his voice to diffuse the potentially explosive situation. The barricades must be removed so that law and order may be restored and the citizens may move about freely."
About the Council of Presidents:
The council is an informal body which meets occasionally on matters of national concern to reflect the view of the Jamaican private sector. It is is led by the five organisations which represent the entire private sector in the Partnership for Transformation.
Those organisations are, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), the MSME Alliance (MSME), the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA), the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). All five are of equal standing and through them the council represents 64 organisations.
Related stories:
Apologise, Bruce! JCC says PM has lost its respect and confidence
PM says sorry
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...ble-from-Bruce