Dem Just Like We

[Hortical]

Newborn on Nigeria payroll, earning $150 a month

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A newborn baby in Nigeria got added to a government payroll, earning about $150 a month for the last two or three years, a discovery indicative of the widespread corruption starving the oil-rich West African nation of much needed funds, authorities said Friday.

http://news.yahoo.com/newborn-nigeri...142140450.html

[Me]

They are the standard. Dem nuh just like anybody, people stay just like them.

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Millionaire Mayor Desmond McKenzie

Mayor Desmond McKenzie


According to the Sunday Herald Jamaica, as referenced above, “Under the Corruption Prevention Act, where a public servant owns assets disproportionate to his lawful earnings and upon being requested by the Commission or any person duly authorized to investigate an allegation of corruption against him to provide an explanation as to how he came by such assets and he fails to do so; or gives an explanation which is not considered to be satisfactory he shall be liable to prosecution for the offence of illicit enrichment and upon conviction thereof to the penalty specified in section 15 (1).”

Additionally, said Sunday Herald stated, in part, that “Mayor Desmond McKenzie’s recently constructed multi-million dollar residence has raised questions about the acquisition and declaration of assets by public officials.”

“Based on a Sunday Herald investigation the land in question at Parkway, Waterworks was acquired by the Mayor and his wife Elaine McKenzie for $20 million on the April 23, 2009. An examination of the Certificate of Title shows where the Jamaica National Building Society registered mortgage No. 1594278 on the same day for $15 million. There is now a very large house, which was recently constructed on the land.”

“Sources in the construction industry advise that the construction costs of the house on the land is in the region of $70 to $80 million. Investigations also show that the mayor and his wife have acquired real estate holdings in excess of $30 million between 2006 and 2009. These include properties at Calabar Mews and Winchester Park.”

“Based on documents seen by the Sunday Herald, transfer number 1409565 transferring the property at Calabar Mews was registered on May 5, 2006 to the mayor and his wife, a housewife, for $5.5 million. A mortgage for $3 million by Jamaica National Building Society was registered on the title.”

“An examination of the title to the property at Lot 28 Winchester Park shows that a consideration of $8 million was paid for this property. There is no mortgage registered on the Certificate of Title.”

Based on the above referenced Sunday Herald article, RCFJ believe that investigating Mayor Desmond McKenzie is exactly the kind of action needed to be in compliance with the laws of Jamaica and to further transparency in government. Should a bona fide investigation demonstrate that Mayor McKenzie has not breached any legal provisions regarding his alleged accumulation of personal wealth while in office, his reputation as a politician will certainly be enhanced. Citizens of Kingston will surely be more empathetic towards his existing efforts to bring order to the city, and he will stand as a solid example of someone who is willing to cooperate to the fullest with the law. Jamaicans need evidence that there are reasons to hope, and that our politicians are willing to help the government and country regain the respect they deserve.

CONCLUSION

Based on our assumption that the Sunday Herald Jamaica, as referenced above, performed the necessary research and due diligence, and on the majority votes of our members who voted to authorize our request, RCFJ hereby, respectfully, request an investigation of the Mayor of Kingston, Jamaica, Mr. Desmond McKenzie, as it relates to the acquisition and declaration of assets by public officials. We further request that the results of the investigation be prompt, and made public.