The Advocates Network (AN) finds the latest disclosure to the Public Affairs Committee that the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) owes Tax Administration Jamaica and other state agencies in excess of $40 billion in overdue taxes and penalties troubling, as once again it raises questions relating to Ministerial and Parliamentary oversight and ultimately the larger issue of good governance.

The latest findings expose how decades of dereliction in leadership by successive Ministries, Parliamentary oversight, and the UHWI Board, resulted in the revelations coming out of the Auditor General‘s Report that the UHWI used its tax- exempt status to import goods for 4 private entities (identified as Supreme Laundry Services, Willman Sales, Scientific Medical Services, and JACDEN Group of Companies), leading to $23.1 million in lost revenue. The dysfunctions at the institution, which the Minister holds responsible for the dissolution of the board, have metastasised over decades under the watch of both parties.

As both trade barbs and blame is generously tossed around in absolution, what is highly disconcerting is the politicisation of the issue as the question of good governance is used as a platform for both parties to score political points, sacrificing the interests of the hard-working citizens who seek a Jamaica of openness, transparency and accountability from those they have elected to manage their affairs.

In the matter relating to JACDEN, both the People’s National Party’s (PNP) and Mr. Dennis Gordon’s response have been found wanting. JACDEN cannot exonerate itself. That is a matter for the state agencies with responsibility. Additionally, Mr. Gordon remained silent for almost a month after the release of the findings before egregiously dismissing the allegations as a response to his success and being an Opposition MP.

The AN found that the Leader of the Opposition’s statement could be perceived as not only reinforcing Mr Gordon’s position but also mentioning that JACDEN’s dialysis machines were now “providing life-saving services to Jamaica’s renal patients at a lower cost than otherwise available in the market place” seemingly providing justification for his action, despite the possibility that any impropriety may have occurred.

Good governance should know no political colour. Vigorous opposition to instances where there are breaches in the trust placed in those who lead us must never be influenced by which side of the political divide they occur. Good governance demands from the Government rigorous Ministerial oversight, impeccable management, and accountability where breaches are exposed, not nine-day wonders. It calls for a strong Opposition to fiercely defend the people’s interests above its own political desires.