Don Wehby - The Controversy
Despite all that problems with Dual Citizenship, uncounted boxes and Portia Simpson-Miller's initial refusal to concede or sit on the platform at the swearing ceremony, the business of the country had to go on. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) named the cabinet ministers and subsequently the state ministers but not without controversy. Personally I don't like the cabinet size or make up and I believe the JLP missed the boat but I will talk about that another time.
The major talking point was the appointment of Don Webhy. The JLP either seeing the inability of Audley Shaw to manage the Finance Ministry alone or the serious financial mess the country is in, appointed two(2) other ministers to the finance ministry, Don Wehby, now formerly of Grace Kennedy, and Dwight Nelson, Trade Unionist. Don Wehby was formerly a high ranking member of the Douglas Orane led Grace Kennedy Group which includes First Global Bank Limited and Bill Express and they are also local operators/agents for money transfer giants Western Union.
When his appointment first surfaced we were told that he would be on leave from Grace Kennedy for two years, he would receive the difference between his current renumeration and the that of a minister from Grace Kennedy. With that the bells, not of JLP victory but of alarms, went off. A 'Conflict of Interest' could be clearly seen. How does someone a minister in the Ministry of Finance regulate the financial industry of which they have vested interest?
I am one for transparency so I have no problem with the criticism. I believe that conflict of interest is a reality of life but what I think is more critical is full disclosure. If we are going to want the bright minds from the private sector mechanisms will have to be found to allow them to offer public service while were possible still managing business they have an interest in. Right now we have repeated situations where persons in the last parliament and in possibly in the civil service continue to be late in declaring their assets and interests.
In Jamaica we have too many career politicians. That said there are going to conflict of interest and and perceptions thereof that can or best resolved by separations.
After much public out cry Don Wehby resigned from Grace Kennedy, all but silencing the outcry. There are still questions will he in the Finance Ministry for two years or for the long haul? Hopefully in all this Grace Kennedy will not get labeled a JLP company similar to how I heard one man at a gas station refer to the a paper as the the Jamaica Labour Party Observer picked up the Gleaner paid for it and walked out.
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Who is Don Wehby
The major talking point was the appointment of Don Webhy. The JLP either seeing the inability of Audley Shaw to manage the Finance Ministry alone or the serious financial mess the country is in, appointed two(2) other ministers to the finance ministry, Don Wehby, now formerly of Grace Kennedy, and Dwight Nelson, Trade Unionist. Don Wehby was formerly a high ranking member of the Douglas Orane led Grace Kennedy Group which includes First Global Bank Limited and Bill Express and they are also local operators/agents for money transfer giants Western Union.
When his appointment first surfaced we were told that he would be on leave from Grace Kennedy for two years, he would receive the difference between his current renumeration and the that of a minister from Grace Kennedy. With that the bells, not of JLP victory but of alarms, went off. A 'Conflict of Interest' could be clearly seen. How does someone a minister in the Ministry of Finance regulate the financial industry of which they have vested interest?
I am one for transparency so I have no problem with the criticism. I believe that conflict of interest is a reality of life but what I think is more critical is full disclosure. If we are going to want the bright minds from the private sector mechanisms will have to be found to allow them to offer public service while were possible still managing business they have an interest in. Right now we have repeated situations where persons in the last parliament and in possibly in the civil service continue to be late in declaring their assets and interests.
In Jamaica we have too many career politicians. That said there are going to conflict of interest and and perceptions thereof that can or best resolved by separations.
After much public out cry Don Wehby resigned from Grace Kennedy, all but silencing the outcry. There are still questions will he in the Finance Ministry for two years or for the long haul? Hopefully in all this Grace Kennedy will not get labeled a JLP company similar to how I heard one man at a gas station refer to the a paper as the the Jamaica Labour Party Observer picked up the Gleaner paid for it and walked out.
Related
Who is Don Wehby
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