From Terry Connor.
I THINK I am beginning to understand politics and why politicians like to have elections on a regular three-or-so-year basis, as it takes just about that time for the cock-ups they have made in office to become embarrassingly apparent; and by the time the music stops they will be sitting in another chair, so the new incumbent who has inherited the seat they recently vacated can truthfully hold up his hands in horror and say: ‘It was all done and dusted before I took over.’
I was always led to believe that the ‘captain of the ship’ was ultimately responsible, whether he was actually on the bridge or not, but the present Treasury Minister cannot be held wholly to account over the incinerator fiasco, though as a member of the ‘Sheep Pen’ (alias Council of Ministers) he undoubtedly voted in favour; however, over the last four months he has had plenty of time to take at least some form of remedial action and a little explaining would not be unwelcome.
He says that he ‘accepts full responsibility’ but this is merely a mouthful of words (sans teeth). Does it mean ‘resignation’ or some other form of atonement? No, not at all; he is merely pointing the finger of blame at the lower decks, promising ‘disciplinary action,’ when we are told by the Auditor General that the Treasury department is simply not equipped to deal with currency issues.
Most of the people that I talk to and who have absolutely zero formal training in financial matters have been quietly shifting much of their savings into non-sterling vehicles over the last few months, and there are many prestigious financial institutions in the Island (only a phone call away) that would probably feel flattered to be invited to explain the rudiments of exchange rates to the government.
We are constantly being reminded that the outlandish salaries being paid to civil servants are absolutely necessary to ensure that we get top talent to manage our affairs – are we getting value for our money?
Perhaps the culprit that we should be seeking in this whole sorry saga is whichever previous Treasury Minister was responsible for signing off the project in the first place, before ensuring that all the necessary safeguards were thoroughly checked out and in place. Isn’t this where the disciplinary action should be brought to bear?
Maybe it all doesn’t really matter in the end, as it’s only taxpayers’ money and there’s plenty more where this came from.
Kerami,
Pontac,
St Clement.
