Perspective: Petrojam Debacle… Auditor General ‘s Report
Disgraceful, Distasteful, Demeaning, Despicable & Disappointing …. Findings
Revelations of Nepotism and a total disregard for established procedures leaves an extremely bitter taste in my mouth. We are a fledgling democracy so we should not be too hard on ourselves. Having said that there is little excuse why the established, well proven systems of accountability should not be observed. Hell seem to have broken loose at Petrojam. Miss Mattie’s fry fish shop would have had a greater level of accountability. The sordid state of affairs begs the inevitable question. Was anyone in charge at Petrojam? Miss Mattie knows she could not stay in business for long if she was so reckless.
Board
The board rarely met, decisions were taken and ignored… then revisited and approval given which effectively overturned the previously rejected decision. To say things were messy would be an understatement at best.
The Hog
They became afflicted with a not so rare disease called “myopic dysfunctionality” aka short sightedness. They forgot that pigging out on forbidden meat was not right. The hog was for them forbidden meat. It was blessed, sanctified and made clean by them. In short they made their own rules and broke them when it suited their lifestyle/purposes.
Culture
The corporate culture at Petrojam was extravagance. They could at will manipulate the ex-refinery price and as they enjoyed a virtual monopoly the consumers were held to random. Who cares? Taxpayers were scoffed at.
Bi-partisan
To say it happened over a 5 year period and is endemic to both political tribes is demeaning. We need to be more frugal and practice a higher level of fiduciary
prudence. This is a poor excuse if not insulting our intelligence. Enough said.
Cake
The surprise parties were extravagance in uniform. There was no performance either at the board level or Ministerially to justify same. A cake costing US$1000 was disgraceful. Was it gold plated .. imbedded with diamonds? Maria Antoinette said” Let them eat cake”. If you recall she was queen of France … known for her extravagance … she was subsequently beheaded by the guillotine. Then there was the French Revolution of 1789, both events were connected. Will this event at Petrojam lead to some form of Revolution in Jamaica? History has a way of repeating itself.
PM
The buck stops at Holness’ desk. Will he take decisive action to restore confidence? He is captain and the craft is listing and with danger of sinking.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International correspondent & photojournalist for Vision newspaper Canada.
