Devon Dick

The recent revelations about breaches of government guidelines constitute cause for concern. It is not enough just to say sorry and resign. Once persons have enriched themselves through unfair advantage, they ought also to pay back the money and with interest.

There is a story in the Bible, which addresses the issue of restitution. In Luke 19, we are told about Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax-collector, who, on meeting Jesus, had such a life-transforming experience that he pledged to give half of his possessions to the poor, and to pay back four times the amount to persons he had cheated. The justice system is predicated on restitution and restitution should be applied against those who breach government guidelines.

On the right track

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was on the right track when, in addition to the resignation of the general secretary of the party, she ordered that the $31 million be returned to Trafigura. This is a model worthy of emulation. If a political party has been wrongfully enriched, not only should there be sorrow and resignation but also redress. It is, therefore, disappointing that after three months it has not happened. If the problem is that Trafigura will not accept the money, then the PNP should say so, and then donate the money to charities such as Food For the Poor.

It would, therefore, stand to reason, that if a mayor should have declared his interest in the construction of a hotel when he led the approval of a massive reduction in fees for the owners of the hotel, then resignation was not enough. Once he has unfairly enriched himself from the activity then it is a cause for redress.

Furthermore, if a chairman of a government board has unfairly benefited from contracts from that organisation then, monies earn from such a transaction should be repaid. It is not good enough just to change the policy after the fact but restoration should also take place. There is a difference between cost overruns and flouting guidelines that lead to the enrichment. The Contractor General's allegations were that there was a case of a conflict of interest caused by the chairman of Petcom also having a business contract with the said company, and this was compounded by the fact that the company was not registered to do business with Government and there was no open tender.

However, when the Contractor General said the chairman may have used her office to influence decisions, he needs to provide proof or leave out the speculation or word it as 'may or may not have influenced'. This year is the 200th anniversary of the passing of legislation outlawing the British slave trade. Those who have been unfairly enriched by and benefited from the slave trade should make reparation.

Make amends

And Jamaicans should use this occasion to make amends. The Government should lead in this. Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson said that employers and employees are overtaxed. Therefore, it is time for redress. There are NHT contributors who because of their pay package will never qualify for a loan. It is time for redress. There are persons who have been paid below minimum wage or paid unreasonable wages by their employers. It is time for redress. In addition, a 40-hour work week is a figment of workers' imagination.

It is not enough to say sorry and resign. What is also needed is restitution by those who have unfairly enriched themselves. When this happens, there will be a dramatic decline in governmental breaches and better business practices.