Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the letter “Hands Off Maria! Part 1” by Nomad. While Nomad eloquently engages in political tit-for-tat—dedicating considerable space to questioning the veracity of opposition figures and defending the Prime Minister’s historical transactions—the piece utterly fails to address the singular, most pressing issue at hand: the integrity of public office following the exposure of the “chain gang scandal” at the Ministry of Public Works (PWD).
Nomad attempts to frame the issue as a political contest between parties, asking who is lying, who is financing whom, and who is the true whistleblower. This is a deliberate distraction. The truth, stripped of partisan lenses, is that an alleged multimillion-dollar racket involving unauthorized vehicle purchases and systemic corruption was operating within a government ministry. Wrong is wrong, regardless of which party or political figure is exposed. Ethics and integrity must not be conditional upon which “side” the truth falls.
The central argument against an independent inquiry is that an internal audit, led by the Financial Secretary, is sufficient and avoids the expense and legal complexities of a public inquiry. This argument lacks understanding of public confidence. While an audit is a necessary first step for financial reconciliation, it is not a substitute for independent investigation. When corruption is alleged within a government ministry, an inquiry conducted by an internal government official, no matter how capable, can never fully satisfy the public’s need for objective, unbiased truth. Only a fully independent body can demonstrate the government’s commitment to transparency over self-preservation.
This brings us to the call for the Minister of PWD and all other key players to step aside pending investigation. Nomad dismisses this as “foolish” political propaganda, citing the Minister’s role as the alleged source of the information and her short tenure. This reasoning fundamentally misunderstands the ethical weight of holding the title of “Honourable.”
The act of stepping aside is not an admission of culpability. It is, in fact, the most honourable action a public servant can take. It serves two critical purposes:
- Protects the Investigation: It eliminates any possible perception—real or imagined—of undue influence or managerial pressure on investigators, auditors, and staff who may be called upon to give evidence.
- Upholds the Office: It demonstrates a profound respect for the sanctity of the office and prioritizes the integrity of the process above the individual’s immediate political standing.
Whether the racket spanned 20 years or two is irrelevant to the requirement for accountability now. The current Minister is the designated head of the institution where the institutional failure was exposed. To do the honourable thing—the very thing their title dictates—the Minister and all others implicated must step aside immediately to allow for a comprehensive, unfettered, and independent investigation to take place.
The citizens should not have to debate the necessity of integrity. Our “honourable men and women” should simply act as their title dictates.
A Concerned Citizen
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Where I’d AG Cutie Benjamin? Is he off-island?BTW No Cabinet meeting or briefings?
Chet Greene had cancelled his public meeting in Combs Cross. Is everyone ducking and hiding?
As a faithful reader i am very disappointed with ANR, I requested of them to try and locate Faithful National # 1 to get his take on the rampant corruption happening in his party and up to now not a single word, I watch obituaries every night on ABS so I know he/ she is still alive. Too much pressure