KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) warned Wednesday against politicizing the Integrity Commission’s (IC) investigation into Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s financial affairs.
Both the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) have been engaged in a tit-for-tat response to the IC report laid in the Parliament last week.
In its report tabled in Parliament last Tuesday, the Integrity Commission recommended that the Financial Investigations Division, Tax Administration Jamaica, and the Financial Services Commission take a closer look at the transactions and dealings of three companies linked to Prime Minister Holness. The transactions amount to more than J$470 million (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.008 cents).
Prime Minister Holness has already instructed his attorneys to initiate legal action against senior members of the PNP following comments about the Integrity Commission’s report on his financial affairs.
However, the PNP said it is not bothered by the threat of legal action and has called on Prime Minister Holness to step down in light of the Integrity Commission’s report on its investigation into the income and assets declarations submitted by Holness for 2019-2022.
In a statement, the JCC urged caution and called for patience and the allowance of due process.
“We strongly encourage the closure of the legal lacunae (space) that may have been identified as soon as possible,” the JCC said in the statement, signed by its President, Bishop the Rev’d Christine Gooden-Benguche.
It warned that politicization of the matter must be avoided.
“To this end, it is important that the process recommended by the IC be allowed to run its course,” the JCC said, adding that “given the inconclusive nature of the report, partisan political interpretations and applications of the report should be avoided until clarity is achieved.”
The JCC said it “affirms the value of respectful, honest, and robust national conversation that seeks to promote the nation’s well-being and encourages the principles of integrity, accountability, and transparency by those holding public office.
“Additionally, the JCC unequivocally asserts that there is a better time to contemplate changes to the Integrity Commission Act due to pressure from the Government, the Opposition, and/or partisan public outcry.
“We assert the importance of the IC as an important instrument of national development and its role in enhancing the country’s perception, credibility, and reputation within the international community. Therefore, the JCC encourages the nation to await the completion of the current process patiently,” it added.
Earlier this week, the Jamaica business community called for the public to respect the ongoing processes.
“As a nation, it is essential that we allow the institutions of good governance and oversight to have the freedom to carry out their mandates without public intimidation, derision, or coercion,” the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), and Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) said in a joint statement.
“Both our leaders and the agencies involved must approach this serious matter professionally, ensuring their actions are executed with the utmost care, transparency, and respect,” they added.
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