NIA stresses conflicts of interest concerns

Danielle Archer, Principal Director of corruption watchdog National Integrity Action,  says concerns raised by People's National Party President Mark Golding about alleged conflict of interest in the oversight of real estate development and local building regulations are serious and troubling.

 

Mr. Golding, speaking in the Leadership Debate on Thursday, noted that the relevant portfolios fall under the Office of the Prime Minister, while both Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and his wife, Juliet Holness, appear to be involved in the real estate business, an overlap that he said raised conflict of interest concerns.

 

According to Ms. Archer, this situation highlights the urgent need for a legislative framework to guide politicians on issues relating to conflicts of interest. 

 

Ms Archer was speaking Friday on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines.

 

Financial commentator Orville Johnson, who also spoke on the show, said the instances of conflicts of interest raised, when considered alongside recent polls showing waning public trust in Jamaica's two main political parties, underscore the need for greater transparency in governance.