Corruption will not be tolerated in PNP-led government, says Golding

 

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has repeated that he will not tolerate corruption within a People's National Party-led government and warned that those found in violation will be punished. 

 

Speaking at a town hall forum in Manchester on Thursday, Mr. Golding said he is concerned about the level of corruption in Jamaica, particularly within government. He said Jamaica deserves better.

 

Mr. Golding has issued a warning to members of his party should it form the next government.

 

"We are committed and I am committed to leading a government which is above board, where hanky-panky is not tolerated and where members of our government understand that if they slip them slide and there will be consequences," he cautioned. 

 

Mr. Golding again criticised the Jamaica Labour Party government for not having its members sign the Integrity Commission's code of conduct. 

 

"All of our shadow spokesperson in the Senate, in the House of Representatives and those who are not in Parliament have signed the Integrity Commission's Code of Conduct for leaders. All of us have signed that leadership code of conduct. Not one of the JLP MPs or Senators have signed it. Why, I don't know. It embraces the seven principles of good governance which are international benchmarks and standards for running affairs of people properly and yet they haven't signed it," he lamented. 

 

The People's National Party president argued that the controversy surrounding the purchase of a $31 million surgical drill for the Bustamante Hospital for Children highlights the level of corruption and nepotism in Jamaica. 

 

"They're not really on the right path at all and the country needs to get a new government which is embracing wholesome values and attitudes, which doesn't have this cloud of corruption, nepotism and cronyism hanging over it - whether it be a drill or whether it be fertiliser which was given to the country by the Kingdom of Morocco for our farmers who needed the fertiliser, and then cronies and connected persons are selling it to the farmers who are in distress. This kind of thing is disgraceful and we can't continue like this as a country," he insisted.