'I have never gained wealth by exploiting the people' - PM Holness

 

Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says he has never gained wealth by exploiting the people. 

 

Addressing party supporters Sunday at a St. Andrew East Rural constituency meeting, Dr. Holness said he has worked hard and has honestly built himself from humble beginnings. 

 

Dr. Holness, who is being investigated for illicit enrichment by anti-corruption agency, the Integrity Commission, stressed that he has not benefitted from any handouts but has lived by honest principles to get ahead in life. 

 

"I have no inheritance or any endowment or any trust fund anywhere. Whatever I have, I have worked hard and honestly for it. I have never gained wealth by exploiting the people. No. And I want to say to you that my ethic is that I believe in working for what I have," he insisted. 

 

The Prime Minister continues to face questions about his finances and made an inconclusive investigation by the Integrity Commission into alleged illicit enrichment arising from his 2021 income declaration, which remains uncertified. 

 

He has denied any wrongdoing and accused the Integrity Commission of conducting an unfair probe. 

 

Dr. Holness and three affiliated entities have mounted a legal challenge to the Commission's investigation. 

 

It was revealed in court documents that Dr. Holness's income, as well as assets, have been under scrutiny by anti-corruption officials since at least 2017, as investigators questioned the source of funds behind his net worth, which reportedly increased from $350,000 in 1998 to almost $160 million in 2019. 

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Holness acknowledged that a third term in office is not guaranteed, warning supporters that they will have to earn it. He emphasized that the JLP must not act as though it is entitled to another term in government.

 

"There is no entitlement. Some people behave like they own Jamaica. It's just a matter that time come for them. It's not a matter that they worked for it. It's not a matter that they deserve it. It's not a meritocracy. It's just that time, the effluxion of time, it's just so. But we have never - I certainly have never - behaved entitled in Jamaica," he declared.