Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
Government Senator, Professor Trevor Munroe (left) and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Carlton Davis, field questions yesterday at a panel discussion on good governance held at Jamaica House, St. Andrew. The event was organised by the Cabinet Office. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
GOVERNMENT SENATOR Trevor Munroe yesterday said corruption is the most serious impediment to good governance in Jamaica.
During a panel discussion organised by the Cabinet Office, yesterday, at Jamaica House, dubbed, 'Good Governance: Perception versus Reality', Professor Munroe admitted that Jamaica had not done well in eliminating corruption from the public sector.
Citing figures from Transparency International's Perceptions Index, he said Jamaica this year scored 3.6 out of 10, compared with 3.3 last year, 3.8 in 2003 and four in 2002. A country is regarded as 'highly clean' if it scored 10.
"The perception of corruption is an important element in governance," Professor Munroe said, as he spoke on the theme, 'Good Governance: the issues and challenges in the public sector'.
He added that while there was "a passing grade in state-centred indicators of governance" in Jamaica, there was an overall decline in governance.
He said this was despite the enacting pieces of legislation, including the Corruption Preven-tion Act, Access to Information Act, and the Contractor-General's Act, aimed at providing better governance.
"There are critical deficiencies that have got to be plugged if we are not to continue on this slippery slope of decline," Professor Munroe stated.
He said some of these "deficiencies" were serious gaps in the country's legislative framework, under-resourcing of institutions critical to good governance, and inadequate law enforcement.
"We do not have a Proceeds of Crime Act which is fundamental," he said. "If we are going to make organised crime less of value to criminal elements, we need the legislative tools to forfeit all the ill-gotten gains of criminals."
PROCEEDS OF CRIME ACT
The Proceeds of Crime Act is currently before Parliament.
Senator Munroe also lamented the absence of mechanisms to regulate contributions to political parties and campaigns.
Pointing to the private sector, which he said, was another important element in the system of governance, the university professor said the under-reporting of corporate taxes was another critical factor.
Referring to the Matalon Report, he said only 17 per cent of corporate taxes were truly reported.
"Don't talk to me about improving good governance and don't engage in the public sector bashing unless you talk to me also about how you're going to ensure fuller compliance with the rule of law, by this important element of the system of governance," he stated.
Speaking on the theme, 'Technobureaucracy', Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Carlton Davis, said the key elements of governance included citizen and stakeholder agreement, fair and honest treatment of citizens, transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law.
