KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—The distinguished opposition Folks’s Nationwide Celebration (PNP) on Monday referred to as for transparency relating to the awarding of a multi-million greenback contract to the British-based Phoenix Partnership (TPP) to digitize digital well being information.
In a press release, the PNP spokesman on Well being and Wellness, Dr Alfred Dawes, made the decision following worldwide media experiences about alleged racist feedback made by the corporate’s proprietor, Frank Hester.
Hester turned embroiled in controversy following racially abusive remarks directed at United Kingdom Member of Parliament Diane Abbott, and the UK Guardian newspaper reported on Friday that police are investigating the incident involving the Black British legislator.
“Hester’s unacceptable feedback have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for for accountability, together with protests urging that the hundreds of thousands in political contributions made to the Tory Celebration be returned and requires the Nationwide Well being Service to cancel their TPP contracts,” Dawes mentioned.
He mentioned that the Ministry of Well being and Wellness (MOHW) and the Jamaican authorities have been silent.
“So as to add insult to damage, the truth that Hester does enterprise in Jamaica has been utilized by Lord Marland as ‘proof’ that Mr Hester can’t be racist. That the federal government of Jamaica is permitting its dealings with Mr. Hester for use as a rebuttal to the activism of black Britons, the diaspora, and their supporters is an egregious offense towards our proud historical past of the battle towards oppression,” the opposition spokesman mentioned.
He mentioned that past the ethical objections to conducting enterprise with an overt racist, there are severe issues surrounding the procurement technique of the contract. The preliminary Request for Proposals invited tenders for a US$2.4m contract, but the settlement signed with TPP was valued at US$5 million.
“We’re asking for clarification as to why there was a variation of over one hundred pc at a time when the MOHW is dealing with questions as to how the Cornwall Regional Hospital venture has seen price overruns price taxpayers 20 billion {dollars} (One Jamaica greenback = US$0.008 cents) up from 2 billion {dollars},” Dawes mentioned.
“Moreover, the MOHW remains to be unable to account for the way greater than J$400 million was spent through the COVID-19 response and is one in all two ministries fingered by the Accountant Basic as not with the ability to clarify adequately how J$1.3 trillion has been spent,” he added.
Dawes mentioned the ministry urgently wanted to handle each the ethical and monetary points of this difficulty.
“The dearth of transparency and accountability is unacceptable, particularly contemplating the scrutiny from each the worldwide group and Jamaican taxpayers,” Dawes mentioned.
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