Taxpayers' money must be spent wisely. It must not be used for the benefit of the people who are put in charge of running affairs on behalf of the State. This is a principle that should govern all political administrations and one which Parliament has enshrined into law by virtue of several acts including, but not only, the Corruption Prevention Act, the Contractor General Act and the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act.

It is sad, however, that too often, the public trust is abused by corrupt officials. Many people voted for a change of government in 2007 because they had the perception that the previous government was mired in corruption. Against the background of that perception, it became politically correct to label your opponent corrupt and to describe many normal transactions as scandals. It was in vogue to make the most thunderous of noises in declaration of these accusations.

There is a saying that when you point a finger accusingly at a person, there are usually four fingers pointing back at you. The recent report of the contractor general into the hanky-panky at the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is a great reminder as to the truth of this old-time saying.

Remember, just a few months ago, it was the former chairman, members of management, sections of the media and the political directorate who were accusing the workers, their trade unions and the Opposition of supporting corruption at the cash-strapped bus company.

Allegations of ghost workers

Not all board members of the JUTC supported this propaganda, as they knew the reality. Like them, the unions also knew that the allegations of ghost workers padded on to the company's payroll were unfounded. So, too, the allegations of corrupt claims for overtime by union delegates.

Fortunately, the unions never kept silent, but, instead, presented cogent rebuttals of the allegations and challenged those making the claim of corruption to put up or shut up.

A deafening silence has befallen those who were loudest in making the allegations. It now seems truth has won out over politically motivated lies.

Indeed, the former accusers are now the accused. Now, we are hearing from the contractor general that people inside the JUTC improperly modified by a multiple of three a 'bid' from the JIS of $191,000, thus making it $570,000. This was to produce a '30-second' advertisement for television. This 'irregular' action caused taxpayers to pay out more than was necessary to do that advertisement. Among the persons benefiting from this irregular action, and which the contractor general describes as compelling evidence of corruption, was the late chairman of the JUTC.

Abuse of power

The board of the JUTC failed to prevent this abuse of power and was derelict in its duty to the public. Directors of companies have a duty to the company on whose board they serve - not to their friends or to the political administration. Members of public boards like the JUTC must show a level of independence and courage in defending the interest of the taxpayers. Principled resignation must become a first option rather than currying favour with officials of the State. This is the will that we need to curb the corrupt practices that have overwhelmed our society and which seriously retard the development of our beloved Jamaica.

There are many more acts of abuse of power and possible downright corruption at the JUTC which warrant a full investigation by the auditor general.

The prime minister appeared to have done the right thing in calling for an urgent report from the board. The minister of transport also appeared to have done the right thing when he undertook to update Parliament on the state of the company following the damning report from the contractor general. However, all the right things have not materialised into action and the wrong thing - a deafening silence - has descended on the land.

Political expediency has stolen the tongues of Prime Minister Golding and Minister of Transport Henry. Remember when Golding promised "action by 12 o'clock" if anyone under his regime was involved in an abuse of power? Remember when he promised to send these abusers of the public trust to wear short pants in prison? Remember when Mike Henry said he would regularly review the boards he appointed to make sure they were performing? These were noble ideals that all well-thinking Jamaicans would support. Why has the Government apparently abandoned these lofty goals and instead proffered silence in place of statesmanship?

The parable of the coconut tree

I would hate to think that this new government has bought into the parable of the coconut tree. When the coconut tree is small, even a toddler can bend it in any direction. However, when grown, the trunk and, therefore, the tree, can't be bent even by the strongest adult. The only way really to control the coconut tree is by cutting it out from the trunk or the root. When that is done, you will not be able to reap coconuts anymore. So, the best thing to do is to leave the coconut tree in place so you, too, can reap coconuts.

Apply this parable to the practice of corruption and you will begin to understand why we may be in for a continued period of deafening silence in the country. Pick the issue - missing sand, UDC and the ferry lands, sale of land in the Montego Bay Freeport, the JUTC, import permits - and enjoy the silence under the cool, (Oops!) corrupt coconut tree anywhere in this land of missed opportunities. May it be that one day our prisons will be full with the pickers from the tree of corruption and our leaders will stop talking with forked tongues!

Lambert Brown is president of the University and Allied Workers 'Union and may be contacted at labpoyh@yahoo.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.