Dear Editor,

It is with deep regret and sadness that I find it necessary to address the American Airlines deal with the minister of tourism. When the JLP came to power, it was with cautious optimism that the nation embraced them in the hope that they would have demonstrated the kind of accountability and transparency that had not been seen for the 18 years before. The fact that the contractor general’s damning report revealed that the minister of tourism approved the expenditure of $405 million without Cabinet approval is reason to demand a sincere apology from the minister to Cabinet and the nation.

In giving the minister the benefit of the doubt, whatever good intentions he may have had for the country, his actions were outside of proper procedure. In addition, his inadequate response to the Contractor General’s Report failed to admit his mistake. It does not require a rocket scientist to realise that this action was neither cost-effective nor in the interest of the Jamaican people. Why would the minister give American Airlines any guarantees when he was not able to save Air Jamaica – a legacy more worthy of salvaging for the sake of posterity?

In any event, had American Airlines decided to give up its routes to Jamaica, there were other airlines of American origin, which were ready and available to take up the slack. So what was so special about AA that it was worth the monetary guarantee at a time when Jamaica’s debts are creating such grave social ills? In addition, two of the routes in question were in direct competition to Air Jamaica. This action makes one ask whose side the minister is on.

The NDM expects a higher degree of good business practice, management and transparency, and therefore calls for swift and decisive action from the prime minister, if Minister Bartlett fails to admit to his mistake and do the proper thing. With all that this nation has endured, we now expect men of impeccable integrity (gentlemen) as our leaders. We cannot continue to accept more excuses of “exuberance” in such serious matters. Without an apology from the minister, his resignation should be rapidly forthcoming. It cannot be business as usual with “no better barrel, no better herring”.

Apollone Reid

Vice President, NDM

ndmjamaica@yahoo.com