PSOJ president says Jamaica has a serious corruption problem.

 

 "We must begin to catch some big fish now, because our people need to see some examples that are not only them that are suffering the consequences. They need to know that justice is for all, and not just for some." 

These words were uttered by Keith Duncan, President of the PSOJ, who was speaking at the Ministry of Finance & the Public Service's Public Bodies Corporate Governance Awards on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. In making the above statement Duncan asserted that it was for the anti-corruption agencies such as the Integrity Commission and the F.I.D. (Financial Investigations Division, to catch these corrupt "big fish" and use them as an example for the wider public. 

The business man also noted that according to a recent survey, more than 85 per cent of Jamaicans believe that both political parties (JLP and PNP) are equally corrupt. He expressed the view that many in society see corruption as a way of life and have "accepted the level [it is at] in the same way [they accept] our crime epidemic as...being normal." He also believes that corruption and crime have a direct correlation to the sluggish economic progress of the country.

Calling for a mindset change, the PSOJ President implored both public and private sector entities to take responsibility, asserting that corruption is a serious issue in both sectors, he however noted that there can be a turn around if both make the effort. 

He states:

"...[W]e now need to have a mindset change in the same way we have been able to manage our fiscal affairs and our economy. 

The Public Bodies' Corporate Governance Awards is an annual award ceremony that is held in partnership with the Ministry of Finance & Public Service and the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica. It was created to reward public sector agencies that have established high standards of corporate governance disclosure and practices.