KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica business community is calling for the public to respect the ongoing processes relating to the Integrity Commission’s report on the financial affairs of Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness (File Photo)“As a nation, it is essential that we allow the institutions of good governance and oversight to have the freedom to carry out their mandates without public intimidation, derision, or coercion,” the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), and Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) said in a joint statement.
“It is imperative that both our leaders and the agencies involved approach this serious matter with professionalism, ensuring their actions are executed with utmost care, transparency, and respect,” they added.
In their joint statement, the business groups say they acknowledge the Integrity Commission’s report regarding the affairs of the Prime Minister and that the processes should be allowed to reach a conclusion without undue influence.
Prime Minister Holness has already instructed his attorneys to initiate legal action against senior members of the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) following comments about the Integrity Commission’s report on his financial affairs.
The PNP said it is not bothered by the threat of legal action and has called on Prime Minister Holness to step down in light of the Integrity Commission’s report on its investigation into the income and assets declarations submitted by Holness for 2019-2022.
The Financial Investigations Division(FID) has said it will be undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the Integrity Commission’s Investigation Report into the Prime Minister’s Statutory Declarations.
The FID said it will be seeking to determine what, if any, specific area may be probed in keeping with its mandate. The Integrity Commission says the Prime Minister’s Statutory Declarations will not be certified until the probe is complete.
In its report tabled in Parliament last Tuesday the Integrity Commission recommended that Financial Investigations Division, Tax Administration Jamaica, and the Financial Services Commission take a closer look at the transactions and dealings of three companies linked to Prime Minister Holness. The transactions amount to more than J$470 million (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents).
In their joint statement, JCC, PSOJ, and JMEA said good governance, integrity and accountability are fundamental pillars of the Jamaican society ”and we rightfully expect our leaders to meet these high standards.”
The groups said they are proud of Jamaica’s standing as the leading Caribbean nation on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 24th globally out of 180 countries
“This achievement emphasises the significance of freedom of expression. However, we encourage all Jamaicans to engage in public discourse with responsibility, ensuring that comments remain measured and constructive.
“In light of these values, we urge everyone to respect the ongoing processes and allow them to reach their conclusion without undue influence,” they added.
