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....do not believe he is above being 'looked at carefully'...but keep him!
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Should Christie be kept?
Contractor General overzealous, scaring off public servants, say political parties
BY ERICA VIRTUE Sunday Observer writer virtuee@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, July 12, 2010
TWO years before his current contract expires, Contractor General Greg Christie has drawn mixed reviews from both sides of the Jamaican political fence.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz said that both the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government and the Opposition People's National party (PNP) had raised concerns about public pronouncements by Christie.
CHRISTIE... causing competent and skilled Jamaicans to think twice before joining the public sector
CHRISTIE... causing competent and skilled Jamaicans to think twice before joining the public sector
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Vaz also suggested that the controversial Christie could be causing "competent and skilled Jamaicans" to think twice before joining the public sector, for fear that their reputation could be damaged beyond repair by his office.
The potency of some remarks, according to Vaz, had scared many competent individuals away from the public sector. Even when his findings lead to no criminal charges, the stain of corruption had already been left, he said.
"There is no opposition to the office or work of the Contractor General. But, both government and opposition members have raised concerns, about public pronouncements regarding investigations his office is about to undertake..." Vaz told the Observer.
"Any criticism would not be about performance, because there have been vital recommendations about some issues. But there has to be a balance in the public pronouncements before investigations, so that people do not now become afraid of serving their country...," Vaz said.
Peter Bunting, general secretary of the PNP, said there were "concerns" among individual opposition members about Christie's approach, and complaints of 'over-zealousness' on the part of the Contrator General may be real.
But, like Vaz, he insisted that his recommendations must be taken seriously.
"He may seem over-zealous in some instances but that is the type of character that office needs to get the job done. I believe in balance though, he has done a good job, but I also wish the government would apply his recommendations, especially those about procurement guidelines...," Bunting told the Observer.
Neither politician knew of any suggestions that Christie might not be invited to renew his contract in 2012, and the Contractor General, speaking through a spokesman, said he was unaware of any attempt to remove him prematurely from office.
Established by the Contractor General Act in 1986, the office of the Contractor General is an independent, anti-corruption commission of Parliament. The primary functions of the OCG are to monitor and investigate the award of government contracts, licenses and permits.
The Act provides that he holds office in the first instance for a period of seven (7) years.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...e-kept_7787897
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Should Christie be kept?
Contractor General overzealous, scaring off public servants, say political parties
BY ERICA VIRTUE Sunday Observer writer virtuee@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, July 12, 2010
TWO years before his current contract expires, Contractor General Greg Christie has drawn mixed reviews from both sides of the Jamaican political fence.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz said that both the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government and the Opposition People's National party (PNP) had raised concerns about public pronouncements by Christie.
CHRISTIE... causing competent and skilled Jamaicans to think twice before joining the public sector
CHRISTIE... causing competent and skilled Jamaicans to think twice before joining the public sector 1/1 The potency of some remarks, according to Vaz, had scared many competent individuals away from the public sector. Even when his findings lead to no criminal charges, the stain of corruption had already been left, he said.
"There is no opposition to the office or work of the Contractor General. But, both government and opposition members have raised concerns, about public pronouncements regarding investigations his office is about to undertake..." Vaz told the Observer.
"Any criticism would not be about performance, because there have been vital recommendations about some issues. But there has to be a balance in the public pronouncements before investigations, so that people do not now become afraid of serving their country...," Vaz said.
Peter Bunting, general secretary of the PNP, said there were "concerns" among individual opposition members about Christie's approach, and complaints of 'over-zealousness' on the part of the Contrator General may be real.
But, like Vaz, he insisted that his recommendations must be taken seriously.
"He may seem over-zealous in some instances but that is the type of character that office needs to get the job done. I believe in balance though, he has done a good job, but I also wish the government would apply his recommendations, especially those about procurement guidelines...," Bunting told the Observer.
Neither politician knew of any suggestions that Christie might not be invited to renew his contract in 2012, and the Contractor General, speaking through a spokesman, said he was unaware of any attempt to remove him prematurely from office.
Established by the Contractor General Act in 1986, the office of the Contractor General is an independent, anti-corruption commission of Parliament. The primary functions of the OCG are to monitor and investigate the award of government contracts, licenses and permits.
The Act provides that he holds office in the first instance for a period of seven (7) years.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...e-kept_7787897