The Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP) has pointed out that if Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz is not held accountable for breaching procurement laws, it would set a dangerous precedent.

The matter stems from a report from the Auditor General (AG) which outlined breaches in the procurement of some Star Link devices in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa last year.

The AG said the devices were procured by ministerial order from Mr. Vaz, instead of by the Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM); additionally, up to January, many of the devices were still in storage, unused.

In response to the AG’s report, Mr. Vaz stated that he did nothing wrong and that he acted in the interest of public good.

JAMP Executive Director Jeanette Calder noted that this situation extends beyond a single procurement transaction.

She said while much is made of good intentions as justification for any and all actions, when such actions breach existing law and policies and cannot pass tests of transparent, accountable stewardship and value for money, good outcomes are compromised.

Ms. Calder said impunity for the actors gives permission for others to follow suit, resulting in a cycle of poor governance and the circumstances of those most in need remaining the same.

She rubbished the minister’s bureaucracy claim.

The JAMP executive has called for 3 main remedies: for Cabinet to uphold the law; for Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee to review the AG’s report and for the Director General of ODPEM to account for his role in the process.

Ms. Calder said the government should not take the ‘meant well’ response as an excuse for breaching laws.