United States’ Suspension of Firearm Exports to Jamaica – A Great Move
The only time the mighty, rich and powerful who are participants in corruption and police officers who are well known for violating human rights and of course participants to corruption have action taken against them ( or as we say in the colloquial language their “wings clipped’ ) in this island is when the United States Embassy takes away their visas or refuses to grant them one.
The fact is, and research has shown show that the broken system in Jamaica rarely attempts to serve justice or take action against the corrupt.
It is in this regard why decent law abiding citizens should say thanks to the United States for suspending gun exports to Jamaica.
According to an article in the Gleaner Newspaper dated Friday November 11, 2016 , the embassy is reviewing its firearm export licensing approval process. This obviously comes on the heel of the Firearm Licensing Authority taking the flack for its ineptitude, inefficiency and what I perceive as corruption.
Many have allegedly complained that the authority and its predecessors in the form of the various “supes” (Snr. Superintendents of Police) have the reputation of issuing multiple licences to those with landed interest and wealth in this country or those with political connections while declining the application of the average Mr. Brown who happens to be a hard working and tax compliant teacher or cabbage farmer in Aboukir or Clarksonville St. Ann.
Many times in the past criminal elements were firearm owners even though they had a chequered history of brushes with the Jamaican law .
Someone or some high ranking members /employees/ directors of this executive agency ( The FLA) need to answer to the people of the country for the missing records pertaining to a former murder suspect who was recently acquitted.
An agency as serious as the Firearms Licensing Authority has in my eyes become the emblem and insignia of corruption. This is a slap in the face of the citizenry – a state agency which I believe not only broke the law but I also believe assisted a former murder suspect.
How on earth can an agency dealing with a serious service such as firearms issue a duplicate firearm license? One in the name of a murder accused and the same license in the name of a senior Jamaican policewoman.
Where were the steps of investigation, processing, corporate governance and mere honesty? Where were the lines of authority or span of control? Where were the output of job responsibilities and job prescription? What happens to the chain of command? What happens to record documentation, and the keeping and security of documents? This is too common for organizations in Jamaica, especially entities in the public sector.
It is sad that only the United States Embassy or the United States authorities can use their power or muscle to send a message to the corrupt and non compliant Jamaicans, those who frequently and so often breach our laws, breach international laws, breach human rights, breach their responsibilities, duties and ethics.
The US embassy must deal firmly by taking away the visas of the corrupt in this county. It is good that we also now have an FBI office in Jamaica. After 50 plus years of Independence, we can safely say we can only trust the USA authorities as many Jamaican authorities and leaders – both public and private have modeled their lives, their mantra, their modus operandi on corruption and despicable values.
We cannot rely on our government, neither can we rely on our opposition to do what is right and fair in this island nation of ours. Our authorities and those who are the stewards in the society have failed us, continue to fail us and worse, continue to be stakeholders in corruption.
We just have to look back at the last few months when we were awakened to the activities of a current government MP who has been fingered by an ex Scotland yard chief who according to an article in a credible South Florida newspaper was allegedly part of a murder plot.
Today, that Member of Parliament sits pompously in parliament as the Jamaican corrupt system will not touch him. It is well rumoured though that his visa has been rescinded. If that is the case it speaks to the only credible organization that can act on our behalf as Jamaican authorities, judicial, and lawmakers are a laughing stock and a complete failure.
Long live the USA, long live the embassy for a stand we shout out as integrity. At least in the western hemisphere there is a country that protects and propels the need for integrity and non corruption. The US authorities have done just that. I hope that the current Jamaican government is taking notes- the world despises corruption and ineptitude.
We are being watched and we should be content to be watched, otherwise those in leadership, those who are captains at the helm of organizations, entities and agencies will lead us to anarchy and destruction and the nation will be a failed state.
I remain,
Yours truly,
Maurice Christie
Aboukir , St. Ann
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