Delroy Chuck

In human affairs, the strength, integrity and vision of leaders make the difference. Whether an organisation, institution or nation does well can easily be attributed to the quality of leaders it has elected and allowed to govern. If leaders cannot be trusted, they cannot gain the support, confidence and loyalty of their employees, followers or people to implement their programmes, policies or vision. When trust and confidence are absent, nothing worthwhile can be achieved.

The Trafigura issue calls into question the trustworthiness and credibility of our Government, the Prime Minister and her ministers. Until they come clean, it must not be forgotten. When a matter of this signal importance is so summarily brushed aside, excused and rationalised, can this Government be trusted to handle the affairs of the nation? We are told that the $31 million will be returned. Has that been done? And, if not, why not? And, if we cannot take the word of the Prime Minister that the money would be returned forthwith, can we ever trust what she says?

No appropriate apology

When the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller spoke in Parliament on the Trafigura scandal, the nation expected to hear the full details, to listen to an appropriate apology and to feel that the Government members made an honest mistake in accepting an inappropriate gift or donation. That did not happen. We did not get the truth or an honest explanation. We did not get the answers or explanation that could put this matter to rest. We were treated to failed attempts to justify the acceptance of the gift even while acknowledging that it should not be accepted. The PM declared that there was nothing inappropriate with the Trafigura donation without explaining why she ordered its return!

The PNP Chairman, Bobby Pickersgill, admitted again in Parliament that the money was a donation, and not payment under a commercial transaction. He saw nothing wrong with the gift. He is on record defending Trafigura as a company of the highest integrity and reputation, when this company is at present involved in the illegal and scandalous dumping of toxic waste. How our Government could ever contrive to do business, and continue to do business, with a company of such ill repute is a matter that impeaches the integrity and judgment of our leaders. No doubt, donations to the party's coffers is enough reason to do business.

We have not heard from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Hon. A.J. Nicholson, who challenged the Opposition to show that there was hanky-panky, otherwise that would be the end of the matter. Later, he admitted that if he knew then what he now knows he would not have spoken so bluntly. Well, A.J., you have a duty to tell the nation what you now know and, if there was hanky-panky, what are you doing in your role as Atttorney-General and Minister of Justice to protect and uphold the integrity and honour of the nation's business?

In fact, A.J., you must tell the nation why its business of dealing with the very important Proceeds of Crime Bill could not continue under your chairmanship, when the chairman, your colleague minister, Hon. Peter Phillips, had to leave the meeting. Two days of meetings had to be cancelled? Why? Is there a problem within the Cabinet and conflict between the ministers?

Judgments

How does Senator Colin Campbell justify remaining in the Senate when his wrongdoing or error of judgment forced him to resign as minister? Doesn't the Senate deserve people whose judgment can be trusted? Colin undermines the integrity of the Government side by remaining in the Senate. Then, again, who in the government cares about integrity, honesty and truthfulness? When we have a government that has lost its moral soul and moral path, can we trust them?

Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Member of Parliament. He can be contacted by email at delchuck@hotmail.com