Corruption at ‘systemic’ levels in Jamaica – Contractor General

Jamaica’s Contractor General Greg Christie has called for the creation of a special agency to fight corruption, asserting official graft on the island has reached “systemic” levels.

The Associated Press reported Christie as saying yesterday that there is credible evidence that Jamaica’s law enforcement and anti-corruption institutions have been ineffective in netting the “big fish” involved.

“For years, and despite having on paper what some might regard to be a relatively comprehensive anti-corruption institutional framework, corruption in Jamaica, particularly the corruption that is perceived to be taking place in high places, has enjoyed a field day,” Christie said at the close of a two-day regional anti-corruption conference, according to the Associated Press.

Christie said it is vital that the government recognise that efforts to fight corruption have fallen short.