FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2022 | INTEGRITY COMMISSION 2022 FEATURE 4 PRESIDENT, THE JAMAICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Mr. Michael McMorris The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce commends the institutions and individuals that are relentlessly fighting the battle against corruption. Throughout all societies, this scourge compromises and distorts democratic intentions, fractures the rule of law, and creates costly hurdles for all types of economic activity. At its core, corruption is driven by the greedy desire to derive advantages for the few at the expense of the many – a sure and certain path towards perpetuating exclusion and underdevelopment. The designation of an annual International Anti-Corruption Day serves as a useful reminder that we must maintain a steely gaze and willingness to rapidly respond to this corrosive force in its simplest or most complex forms. It is the view of the JCC that Jamaica will only succeed in this battle to the extent that we deploy the civic and political will to root out all elements of a culture that “turns a blind eye” or actively participates in a “bandoloo” culture at any level of society. This must include a commitment to create and support those institutions –including public agencies such as the Office of the Auditor General, the Integrity Commission or re-purposed Parliamentary Oversight Committees - that function as watchdogs serving the public interest. There is similarly a crucial role for the business community in this process. On this premise, the JCC over the past several years has been working with businesses to adopt ISO 37001, the international anti-bribery management system standard for organizations, including those that wish to participate in public sector procurement. We have also requested the government to put on its agenda the introduction of legislation similar to the UK Bribery Act, which provides for comprehensive sanctions for both sides engaged in this dishonest practice. We call on all Jamaicans who are desirous of seeing our nation live up to its potential to mark this day by re-committing themselves to ridding us of this destructive impulse. Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP) joins hands, heart and mind with the Integrity Commission and the rest of the world’s anti-corruption bodies to recognise World Anti-Corruption Day. This noble fight against corruption is really a fight for better hospitals and patient treatment, more and better schools, safe, affordable and dignified transportation, beautiful public spaces, better salaries for public servants etc. It is a fight well worth fighting but will require consistent public education and guidance for citizens in the practical ways in which they can take on the challenge to defending the interests of this nation. JAMP remains deeply committed to those efforts and working with our partners in the Government and the Parliament. The mere creation of organisations and laws will never be sufficient, it will require the people, understanding there is untold cost to our betterment and having the courage to say “mi nuh innah dat.” To that end, JAMP will continue our work of building awareness, creating practical tools for more effective citizen/ state oversight and educating fellow citizens. We will not relent in so great a cause and encourage fellow citizens and organisations across the planet to stay true to their own dedication. Nothing must be allowed to defeat our combined efforts. UN International Anti-Corruption Day comes as Jamaica’s 60th anniversary year of independence draws to a close. This is a time when all sectors of Jamaican society are summoned to lift Jamaica’s failing grade in the combat of corruption, and to strengthen good governance. On this basis our people can recover much of the hundred billion dollars which is stolen by the corrupt and redirect these ill-gotten gains to improve our people’s quality of life. • For the “man in the street” this requires multiplying further the increasing number of reports of wrong doing to Crime Stop, to the Auditor General, to the Integrity Commission. • For our Justice system, more effective investigations, prosecutions and convictions of the corrupt, particularly in high places. • For our MP’s, more urgent attention to developing and observing a Code of Conduct to build respect for our Parliament. • For our Cabinet, greater priority in strengthening good governance legislation, such as the Protected Disclosures and the Integrity Commission Acts as well as introducing the promised Unexplained Wealth Orders and the Enhanced Security Measures Act. • For the Judiciary, to ensure that there is no abridgement of our peoples’ rights except as may be “demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society” • For NIA and other Civil Society Organizations, to coordinate better and to partner with individuals from all walks of life to build public awareness of how corruption harms and to facilitate citizen involvement in holding Power to account. NIA congratulates the Integrity Commission for this supplement and looks forward to working with the Commission’s Technical Working Groups on the Development of Jamaica’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JAMAICA ACCOUNTABILITY METER PORTAL Jeanette Calder PRESIDENT, PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATION OF JAMAICA Keith Duncan The Private Sector Organisation Of Jamaica (PSOJ) is pleased to recognise International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) 2022. We celebrate the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, reflected in this year’s IACD theme UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against corruption. We recognise the need for an integrated response and approach to enable integrity and transparency for national and global progress. The work of the Integrity Commission is crucial in combating corruption and restoring public trust that their government is working in their interest, not just for a select few. While much credit can be given to Jamaica’s remarkable economic recovery from COVID-19 and the country’s macroeconomic stability, the same cannot be said of the country’s performance in accountability and transparency. Corruption has a massive impact on developing countries, as it diverts much needed funding from development and the provision of essential services, such as health, education and garbage collection. Acts of corruption, no matter how small, engage a vicious cycle that further perpetuates inequality and injustice in our society. Each year, the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, the leading global indicator of public sector corruption, issues a ranking of 180 countries. Regrettably, Jamaica’s ranking for 2021 has fallen one place from 69 to 70 – and has a CPI score of 44. Jamaica has had an average CPI score of 37.8 for the past 20 years, which is highly indicative of our country’s persistent corruption problem. The PSOJ is disheartened by the repeated mismanagement of scarce public resources, instances of corruption that have undermined the country’s capacity to grow and a lack of integrity by those we have collectively entrusted to manage the public capital for our collective interest and from whom we require exemplary behaviour. Nonetheless, we refuse to be dissuaded and, as an Organisation, continue to partner with public and civil society stakeholders to advocate for transparency and accountability. To achieve this, we must all take responsibility to shun personal involvement in corrupt practices while holding our leaders accountable. As we move forward in a dynamic and interconnected world built on the pillars of good governance, transparency, accountability, and equity, we join in efforts to “Unite the world against corruption.” EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INTEGRITY ACTION Prof. Trevor Munroe, CD, DPhil (Oxon) DO YOUR PART IN THE FIGHT TO ERADICATE CORRUPTION
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