THE EDITOR, Sir:

DID I read Minister Audley Shaw correctly as saying that compliance with the procurement procedures was imposing severe constraints on the ability of the entities to conduct their businesses efficiently?

Shaw said that although classified as public bodies, entities such as Air Jamaica and Petrojam were commercial organisations operating to make a profit in a competitive environment.

I wonder if Minister Shaw would find those acceptable responses by former Parliamentary Secretary Kern Spencer? The fundamental basis of the charges against Kern Spencer arose from breaches of government procurement guidelines and whatever else followed in a project implemented by Petrojam. Is the removal of the strictures of those procurement from Petrojam laying the basis so that no one else can be held criminally responsible in the future?

Maintain vigilance

Was not the strengthening of procurement guidelines by giving teeth to them and making prosecution possible in the event of any breach of them a solemn pledge of the Jamaica Labour Party manifesto?

A process of public consultation is needed before any such removal of strictures is made. The contractor general should, therefore, maintain his vigilance.

I am, etc.,

GARNETT ROPER

garnettroper@hotmail.com

Highgate

Via Go-Jamaica