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Justice Minister Calls on Citizens to Speak Out Against Corruption
Written by: Colleen Dawkins
Photo: Michael Sloley
Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck (right), addresses the Third Quarterly Press Conference, held recently at the Ministry's Constant Spring Road head office in Kingston. Listening (at left) is Executive Director of National Integrity Action (NIA), Professor Trevor Munroe.
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Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, is calling on citizens to expose wrongdoers and speak out against corruption.
"We have teamed up with National Integrity Action (NIA), because we recognise that there is too much wrongdoing across the country and somehow we need to expose the wrongdoers and to reduce wrongdoing wherever it occurs," the Minister said.
Mr. Chuck was speaking at the Ministry of Justice's third quarterly press conference, held recently at the Ministry's Constant Spring Road head office.
Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, speaks at the Third Quarterly Press Conference, held recently at the Ministry's Constant Spring Road head office in Kingston.
He encouraged justices of the peace (JPs) and law-abiding citizens to uncover corruption, regardless of the status of the offenders.
"Wherever crime and corruption occur, we want Justices of the Peace and decent law-abiding citizens of our country to expose them, and it doesn't matter if it is a minister, a mayor, a parliamentarian, a councillor, a bureaucrat, a permanent secretary or chief technical director. If they are engaged in corruption, they must be exposed," the Minister emphasised.
He pointed out that corruption eats away at the moral fibre of the country and reduces the benefits the Government can provide to the weak, poor and vulnerable of society.
"A few wrongdoers are illicitly enriching themselves to the detriment of a wide cross section of our country, and that is why this Ministry will be working extremely hard, so that we can move from the 44 score that we've had for the last two years and work towards a better score and improve on the corruption index," the Minister said.
He said that ensuring citizens get value for their money is of utmost importance to the Government.
"Where tax dollars are being wasted because contracts have a percentage that goes to illicit means, must stop," the Minister said.
He also urged contractors to be aware of corruption and refrain from engaging in illegal activities.
"I want to send the signal out to contractors. You have no duty to give members of parliament (MPs), dons or anybody a portion of the contract. Whatever contract you have signed, make sure the people of Jamaica benefit enormously," the Minister said.