Marcia Forbes

The Editor, Sir:

I write in support of your editorial comments of Monday, September 8, on the appointment of Marcia Forbes as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications. While I have no difficulty with her academic qualifications and proven track record of achievement, my concern is with the process which was used to appoint her to the position.

Process of appointment

Vacancies for positions in the civil service are usually first advertised by circular throughout the service, and more recently in the media. Deadlines are given for applications to be received by the chief personnel officer and persons are shortlisted and invited to attend interviews by members of the services commission. At the end of the interviews, assessments are done and the candidate(s) deemed to have satisfied the criteria chosen to fill the vacancy.

Was due process followed in this case? Has the system of selection for these sensitive positions in the civil service changed ?

Mr. Golding on his elevation to the position of prime minister/chief servant promised transparency in the governance of the country's affairs. The prime minister /chief servant needs to speak to this particular issue failing which Jamaicans will be led to believe that in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Gustav, 'everything was washed away in the stormy, murky waters'.

I am, etc.,

V. MCKENZIE

Kingston