Jamaica traffic division head says corruption `way of life’ at tax office

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) says it views as “unprofessional, very unfortunate and grossly unfair” a claim by head of the Traffic Division, Senior Superintendent of Police Radcliffe Lewis, that corruption appears to be a way of life within the organisation.

Lewis, a colourful, tough-talking police officer, who was addressing a committee of the Senate, yesterday said the corruption within the state-run TAJ is endemic and the time has come to bring it to an end.

“This has been happening for years but it would appear that no one wants to bell the cat, and the cat will have to be belled now,” Lewis said.

He added: “All of us will have to clean TAJ and clean it squeaky clean. … The system there is almost like normal. If you not doing corruption there, you are not saying anything, you are not cutting any dash.

“It has to be cleansed and all of us as senior persons, when you cleaning that place, you will have to use Dettol, Lysol and Jeyes (Fluid).”

In a written response to The Gleaner, the TAJ said Lewis’ utterances “appear to be made to grab headlines”.

“SSP Lewis’ continued disparagement of the TAJ is demoralising to the staff and could not be considered to be in the best interest of fostering the mutually respectful and collaborative relationship expected and required of government agencies,” the authority said.

Addressing the committee, Lewis said persons within the TAJ have been operating mini-depots. He said these persons have been stealing government documents and are selling them to motorists.

In the meantime, the TAJ said it has identified some breaches of its systems which are being investigated by the Revenue Protection Division (RPD) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

“The TAJ has and continues to give the police its full support in all investigations and efforts made to protect the integrity of our systems,” the tax authority said.

It added that “staff allegedly involved in fraudulent activities are in the minority and that the majority of our staff are hard-working and honest individuals”.

The TAJ said breaches are a challenge that every organisation faces and noted that once any such instance is uncovered, the RPD is notified and the police contacted.

But Lewis appears convinced that the systems at the TAJ to prevent corruption are lacking. For instance, he said a security chief should be employed and charged with the responsibility of protecting the documents as well as staff.

“I am not going to wipe my mouth on the ground like a typical country fowl. From all indications, corruption at the TAJ has become institutionalised to the extent that senior officers within the TAJ who are responsible to stamp out corruption have become fearful for their lives and have turned a blind eye to what is happening, and this is why they refuse to give statements and to cooperate with the police,” Lewis said.

The tough-talking police officer said those persons are unhelpful to the country and should be separated from their jobs.

“If persons are employed to any organisation or agency, and there are certain risks associated with the execution of his or her duties, and the person become fearful of their lives to the extent that they refuse to honour their obligation, which includes providing information and statements to ensure that the organisation operates without corruption, then such an employee must either resign or retire,” Lewis said.

Lewis has proposed that the Government implement a system of mandatory polygraph testing in critical areas of the public sector.

“If we are serious about eliminating corruption from the civil service, and by extension TAJ offices, we have to stop talk the talk and walk the walk,” Lewis said.

“The Jamaica Civil Service Association and unions representing civil servants must support the recommendation of polygraph tests being conducted on persons working in sensitive areas of government and stop taking what I deem to be foolishness that polygraph testing is against workers’ rights,” he added.

Lewis said while there is a limitation to the use of polygraph testing, it would “give a clear indication on some individuals as to their integrity”.

The Senate committee is examining ways to improve the driver’s licensing system, which it has heard is riddled with fraud.