Corruption call centre launched
Published: Tuesday January 20, 2009
Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
Commissioner of Police Hardley Lewin (left) discusses an issue with human-rights advocate, Yvonne McCalla-Sobers, after the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force launched its 1-800-CORRUPT hotline. The launch was held at the Police Officers' Club in St Andrew, Sunday. - Norman Grindley/Acting Photography Editor
Efforts by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to fight corruption among police personnel and employees of Jamaica Customs were yesterday boosted through the launch of 1-800-CORRUPT, an offshore anti-crime international call centre.
According to the anti-corruption branch of the JCF, its implementation aimed to provide a secure telephone line through which members of the JCF, Customs and the general public may pass information or intelligence on corrupt practices to independent sources.
Speaking Sunday during the launch held at the Police Officers' Club, Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Felice, who is head of the Anti-Corruption Branch, said corruption-sabotage programmes protected the identity of informants.
"Our message is clear: Just tell us what you want us to know, not who you are," he charged members of the public.
Culture of silence
In his remarks, Danville Walker, commissioner of customs, lauded the organisers for launching 1-800-CORRUPT.
He noted that Jamaicans have developed a culture of silence, which provided a shield to the perpetrators of corruption.
"It is almost seen as anti-Jamaican to give the information necessary to the police force and those who run organisations like Customs," he told the gathering.
Call-centre representatives are being trained to use Jamaican creole.
Commissioner of Police Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin said a public servant once bought, stayed bought. He also cautioned those who are involved in corrupt activities to desist.
Meanwhile, Senator Arthur Williams, state minister in the Ministry of Finance, said 1-800-CORRUPT is a line would prevent calls from being traced.
"Use 1800-CORRUPT to blow the whistle to tell what you know," he urged.
Fifty-six police personnel and 13 other persons were arrested for corruption in 2008.
petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com
How will it work?
The information/intelligence provided will be sanitised then forwarded to a dedicated point of contact within the Anti-Corruption Branch.
All information will be received in real time and acted upon.
At no time will any member of the JCF be in contact with the person passing the information.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090120/news/news2.html
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Invest in Alternative Energy by Bob Ritchie
Invest in alternative energy
Published: Friday January 2, 2009
The Editor, Sir:
Jamaica could be completely independent of foreign oil importation by investing in alternative energy. Our island nation could save hundreds of millions of dollars, which could in turn be invested in infrastructural development and expansion, improvement of our education system, providing much-needed employment, and most important, improving our national security.
With the aid of modern technology readily available, Jamaica can utilise wind, solar, hydro and ethanol power sources, the latter of which is now being utilised and expanded.
Jamaica's capability
Jamaica has the capability of installing wind turbines - there is enough wind blowing through our mountains which is going untapped. The sunshine our island is blessed with should not just be a tourist attraction. Build larger hydro-electric facilities to provide electrical energy for a larger section of the island. Our land of wood and water is letting all that water flow into the Caribbean Sea without utilising it.
The E10 petrol project is a great start, but just imagine how really independent our nation could become if we invested in these technologies and become independent of foreign oil. The reduction of pollutants would improve the health of our citizens and overall quality of life. The financial savings would be tremendous, and the reinvestment of those revenues could do amazing things for the future of our beloved country.
I am, etc.,
BOB RITCHIE
r2cr@juno.com
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090102/letters/letters5.html
Plymouth
Published: Friday January 2, 2009
The Editor, Sir:
Jamaica could be completely independent of foreign oil importation by investing in alternative energy. Our island nation could save hundreds of millions of dollars, which could in turn be invested in infrastructural development and expansion, improvement of our education system, providing much-needed employment, and most important, improving our national security.
With the aid of modern technology readily available, Jamaica can utilise wind, solar, hydro and ethanol power sources, the latter of which is now being utilised and expanded.
Jamaica's capability
Jamaica has the capability of installing wind turbines - there is enough wind blowing through our mountains which is going untapped. The sunshine our island is blessed with should not just be a tourist attraction. Build larger hydro-electric facilities to provide electrical energy for a larger section of the island. Our land of wood and water is letting all that water flow into the Caribbean Sea without utilising it.
The E10 petrol project is a great start, but just imagine how really independent our nation could become if we invested in these technologies and become independent of foreign oil. The reduction of pollutants would improve the health of our citizens and overall quality of life. The financial savings would be tremendous, and the reinvestment of those revenues could do amazing things for the future of our beloved country.
I am, etc.,
BOB RITCHIE
r2cr@juno.com
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090102/letters/letters5.html
Plymouth
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