Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator
( L - R ) PICKERSGILL, CHANG and WEBBER
MINISTER OF Housing, Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, has dismissed his Opposition counterpart, Dr. Horace Chang's claim on Friday that former People's National Party (PNP) Deputy General Secretary, Maureen Webber, has been appointed to head the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC).
In a release, Dr. Chang described the appointment as "inappropriate".
However, responding to the Opposition spokesman's comments, Mr. Pickersgill called Dr. Chang irresponsible, noting that an advertisement for the position at the NHDC was published in the press and no decision had been made on an appointment.
"The advertisement is in the press if he would only take time to read," Mr. Pickersgill said. "I think the closing date is June the 12th and the woman has applied for nothing, and she has the right to apply if she wants. How reckless can these people be?"
Dr. Chang had said that Ms. Webber's appointment suggested that it was business as usual in the Portia Simpson Miller administration. He said it also meant that party loyalty continued to be paramount in the decision-making process for appoint-ments to key Government positions.
He called on the Prime Minister to reconsider the appointment of Ms. Webber, in light of the fact that Jamaicans are demanding greater transparency in governance.
