More calls for transparency on change to FID job requirement

Pressure is mounting for the government to explain the removal of a key law enforcement requirement from the top job at the Financial Investigations Division.

The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica have joined civil society groups calling for disclosure about the removal of the requirement for the post of Chief Technical Director.

Additionally, they have expressed concern about the decision of the Office of the Services Commissions to block release of the explanation for the amendment.

The issue was discussed on Radio Jamaica’s Beyond the Headlines, on Monday.

According to Phillip Ramson, President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, the OSC's decision raises questions about the integrity of crucial institutions.  

Characterising that decision as "unacceptable," arguing that it "puts the integrity of our institutions into a position where people no longer have faith in them."

"When we get to that stage where we don't believe in these entities, then the public has a position where we need to come out and demand better," he said, explaining why the JCC decided to take a public stand on the matter.

Dennis Chung, a chartered accountant, who does not have law enforcement experience, was appointed to lead the FID, effective June 2.

Since his selection was made public, civil society groups and the parliamentary opposition have been raising questions about the decision.

Howard Mitchell, founding chairman of the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal, said the explanation for refusing the Access to Information request was inadequate.

He contends that this could lead to further distrust of the government and could have consequences leading up to the next general election.

Mr Mitchell wants the government to provide answers to reassure the public that there is no cover-up regarding the appointment of Mr Chung.

Professor Rosalea Hamilton, founding Director of the Institute of Law and Economics, and a member of the Advocacy Network,  is also questioning whether the appropriate steps were taken in amending the job description for the top post at the FID.

She stressed that the rules on the matter are "very clear that, if there's any amendment, it must be sent to the Corporate Management & Establishment Branch of the Ministry of Finance, and it would be evaluated and approved."

The public needs to know whether that evaluation was done and approval granted, "and on what basis was there approval."

"I can't see how that is... disclosing personal or breaching confidence," she argued.

She concluded that "it's unacceptable and, and I think that if we want to live up to our intenational agreements as well as our policies and laws, we have to do better and make this process much more transparent."