The corruption focus is not yielding the desired result, why ?

There has been much talk on Twitter and in the public space about the cost of corruption and the deleterious impact it is having on the Jamaican economy as well as on our scores on the Corruption Perception Index.

One is left to ask the obvious question, if corruption is a bad as it has been made out to be, why are people not being dragged before the courts for corruption and convicted and sentenced.

I think the main reason is, corruption pays handsomely and their is very little incentive to stop it. Corruption is a way of life for Jamaica believe it or not. This afternoon I happened to hear Johnny performing at powerful men/women in concert and he said something to this effect ” When I travel the streets I made sure I have something for the policeman”.

I saw one lady shaking her head in disapproval but many laughed it away because Johnny is a comedian. The question is, was Johnny speaking the truth or providing comic relief.

Some people are insisting that corruption will not stop until the politicians starts getting locked up, but while they are saying this, they are paying the cops not to write a ticket, paying customs officer to get their items in without paying the correct duties and using their links to seek personal favours, but in their eyes a nuh nuttin because everyone does it.

There is a unfair focus on politicians when its clear as day that the main culprits of corrupt practices are civil servants and the private sector folks.

I presented some figures earlier today which suggests that over the last 10 years corruption has cost this country between $912 billion and $1.106 trillion dollars.

Do you still beleive these monies ended in the pockets of PNP and JLP MP’s/Cabinet Ministers.

With that said, are we really looking in the right place to stamp out the ill of which we “detest” so much or a we just beating up our gums.

Bless

Where does the “cost” of corruption ends up

It is said that Jamaica loses between 5% to 7% of GDP to corruption, but what does this mean.

Truth be told corruption is a zero sum game, which means if one loses someone else gains. Corruption most often means funds, service etc that were to be for public good has been diverted to enrich others .

In 2018 Jamaica GDP was estimated to be approx US$15.8B so a “loss” of 5 % to 7% would equate to US$790m to US$1.106B. The equivalent in Jamaica dollars would be $108b to $151b.

Where does this loss to the government end up since I hold the view that this is a zero sum game. It would stand to reason that there are some very wealthy people living in this country and their wealth have grown exponentially over the years given their access to government resources .

How much of this wealth remains in Jamaica and what form has it taken on and how much resides outside of the country.

Very important questions that deserves answers

Jamaica’s GDP in US$ over the last 10 years

Accumulated losses over the last 10 years

Where is all this money, and what has it been doing or where has it been hiding