Dennie Quill, Contributor

One of the central duties of Government is to act in a manner that benefits the citizens over which it has authority. In other words Government has a fiduciary duty to the people it serves. It's similar to the responsibility of banks and like financial institutions to their clients. They are charged to act prudently. We have seen in this country how the private sector has been punished and driven into obscurity for breaching its fiduciary duty, either through exuberance, ignorance or recklessness.

Over the next two columns, I intend to demonstrate the case of liability against those who have fiduciary responsibility for this country. I will cite examples of wasteful spending, and I have not been peering into the Auditor-General's books. These are things that we see around us everyday, yet people have become so accustomed to Government picking their pockets that they don't seem to notice. I am hoping we may achieve agreement to launch some initiatives that will control government spending and reduce waste.

Woolmer investigation

Let's take a look at the Bob Woolmer investigation. We have not seen the figures yet; however, one anticipates that with more than 30 police officers assigned to the case, and taking into consideration the numerous experts called and visits to London and South Africa, that a tidy sum has been expended and is continuing while Mr. Mark Shields searches for the elusive Pegasus Strangler. Last week I pointed to some of the many inconsistencies in the case but I forgot to mention the fact that Mr. Woolmer was found unconscious in his hotel room. In other words his killer(s) left the intended victim half-dead. Who strangles someone and doesn't make sure he is dead? Even in the movies, the strangler never turns his back until the victim gives that final kick. So are we wasting money on an investigation based on false premises? Heavens know that our ramshackle police stations and courthouses could benefit from some of this money to improve plumbing here and there or add some paint and improve living quarters elsewhere. We could even replace some of the threadbare tyres seen on police motorbikes.

Moving to case number two, even though many are pointing to the long-term benefits of Cricket World Cup, I continue to question some of the expenditure for that exercise. I cannot let go of the Sabina Park issue. Our Government has dumped millions into a private members' club without having a proper agreement in place as to future ownership, future marketing and management of the facility. This came over clearly in the answers given by the Finance Minister when he was questioned on the issue.

In sharp contrast, the Barbados Government which pumped $135 million into the redevelopment of Kensington Oval, also a members' club, has brought the parties to the negotiation table. As far as I could glean in the Barbados situation, the Government's contribution of some $135 million to the cost of the redevelopment of Kensington Oval was funded through a loan to Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. (BTII) and on-lent to Kensington Development Corporation (a real estate company established for the redevelopment project which now has a lease on the land). Prime Minister Arthur is presiding over the meetings to decide on the future of Kensington Oval and to ensure that taxpayers get value for their investment. No wonder Barbados is beginning to look like a First World country.

Trelawny Stadium

The Trelawny Stadium is the third issue members of the Government want us to believe that it was money well spent, I beg to differ. It is becoming crystal clear that the $30 million stadium was built to stage the opening ceremony for Cricket World Cup. But alas, a few dollars spent on sprucing up the National Stadium in St. Andrew would have rendered it perfect for the ceremony. The celebration has long ended at Greenfield, but now we are faced with a humongous maintenance of bill of $2 million each month. And it is the taxpayers who will foot this bill. I haven't heard of a marketing plan for this facility, so it appears that this white elephant will be a burden on our backs for a long time yet.

In any family situation, a spouse who squanders money in this fashion would be heading for divorce court because the family would surely be brought to its knees. In the Jamaican family, however, we seem perfectly at ease to see our money being wasted day after day.