The Following Press Release Was Received:
The story refers to Mr.
Lerone Laing who holds a Master of Science Degree in Economics, with
distinction and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science with Upper
Second Class Honours, as well as three (3) years’ experience at the mid-manager
level at the time of his application, encompassing the required competencies –
knowledge of laws and transport issues, direct experience as an economist and
environmental awareness.
Mr. Laing was selected to
serve as interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Toll Authority in October
2019 for an initial period of six months, following the resignation of the then
CEO and against the background of the Toll Authority being among the Public
Sector entities slated at that time for rationalization.
Mr. Laing was chosen after
advertisement of the position in a major newspaper on August 21, 2019, further
to which ten applications were received. Two candidates were shortlisted, Mr.
Laing and one other candidate who was based overseas. Given the uncertainty of tenure
within the context of the expected rationalization process, Mr. Laing was
considered the more suitable of the two.
Importantly, Mr. Laing was
deemed suitable for the assignment based on his qualifications, experience and
competencies. The minimum qualifications
are that the candidate should hold a Master’s Degree in Business Administration
OR relevant discipline. Mr. Laing is therefore more than qualified for the
position.
As the person selected to do the job,
Mr. Laing is paid what is attached to
the post, which is clearly identified in the Establishment of the Government
of Jamaica (GoJ): a salary range of $3,032,763.00 to $3,605,002.00 per annum,
with travelling allowance of $1,697,148.00 per annum if in possession of a
motor vehicle or $678,864.00 per annum without a motor vehicle.
The initial assignment of
six months was later extended by one year with effect from April 1, 2020,
following assessment of Mr. Laing’s performance by the Authority.
The fact that Mr. Laing served as advisor
to the Minister of Transport and Mining between March 2018 and September 2019, has nothing to do with the reality that he emerged as
the most suitable candidate after a standard selection process and is
therefore serving as the CEO of the Toll Authority as a result of that
selection.
At the time, the Toll
Authority was slated to undergo a transformation process, which would see to
the reintegration of the Toll Authority into the Ministry. This consideration
contributed to the recruitment process manifesting as outlined.
It should also be noted that these details were
provided by the Ministry as responses to questions emailed by a reporter from
the newspaper. The Ministry answered the various questions posed through
correspondence dated November 3, 2021 and December 2, 2021.
Based on these facts, the Ministry reiterates that
this story published today is misleading in its argument that the CEO of the
Toll Authority does not meet the requirements for the job. The Ministry of
Transport and Mining reassure its partners and the wider public that its
processes and operations, as well as those of the Toll Authority are above
board, and will remain so.
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If it is that at this time as a country we can have these claims and counter- claims as it relates to corruption, it simple means in my view that as a country we are not yet mature to go republic, i shiver to think of us as a republic with these types af accusations hanging around,
ReplyDeleteIf what is documented above is correct, then why would someone claim that this person is not qualified? The irony is that the person who is making this claim is NOT qualified to be a journalist. This person, indeed, is qualified to be a TROUBLE MAKER, a NEWS MONGER. These kind of behaviour need to stop, have no value..
ReplyDeleteTheft? Corruption in Jamaica? NEVER!
ReplyDelete