Corruption at Exam Depot

[Chris]

First the Jamaica Observer ran this article (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050515t040000-0500_80533_obs_corruption___at_car_exam_depot_.asp ) on corruption at the local vehicle exam depot. Now, the Minister orders probe at exam depot after Observer story (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050517T000000-0500_80648_OBS_MINISTER_ORDERS_PROBE_AT_EXAM_DEPOT _AFTER_OBSERVER_STORY.asp).

First thing, I wonder what took any newspaper so long to expose the corruption. This thing has been going on for years. Also, the Govt is now acting like it's a new thing to them. Didn't they wonder to themselves how it is that their private vehicles have the fitness certificate yet it has never been to the exam depot? :eusa_doh:

I have had to take vehicles to the depot on numerous occasions for the fitness test. Let me tell you, it's not a pleasant experience. The day starts off with a long wait (unless you reach first thing in the morning) followed by a brief inspection under the car, the lights, etc. After the inspection there's another waiting period followed by another inspection of the engine and chassis numbers. Then comes the nightmare, the car is driven for a test drive by the inspector. Let me tell you, it's not nice watching your car being ragged out with it's wheels squealing and loosing a couple months worth of wear and tear just within a few minutes :eusa_wall. I always get the feeling that they do this to encourage people to find a "softer" way to get the cert. After the car has been significantly depreciated in the test drive, there's another waiting period for the actual, hand-written, error-prone, fitness certificate. Word of advice ... check the details on the newly issued cert BEFORE you leave. Humans make errors ... then again, that's if you can make out the hand-writing :eusa_doh:.

This system is ripe for modernisation and restructuring. I don't see why a brand new (non-deportee) vehicle has to be tested in less than 3 years, but it does. Oh, then again the Govt needs the revenue.

At the end of the day, nothing is going to come of this "probe". It will just fall the way of the other 9 day wonders in this country.

[AngelsKiss]

First the Jamaica Observer ran this article (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050515t040000-0500_80533_obs_corruption___at_car_exam_depot_.asp ) on corruption at the local vehicle exam depot. Now, the Minister orders probe at exam depot after Observer story (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050517T000000-0500_80648_OBS_MINISTER_ORDERS_PROBE_AT_EXAM_DEPOT _AFTER_OBSERVER_STORY.asp).

First thing, I wonder what took any newspaper so long to expose the corruption. This thing has been going on for years. Also, the Govt is now acting like it's a new thing to them. Didn't they wonder to themselves how it is that their private vehicles have the fitness certificate yet it has never been to the exam depot? :eusa_doh:

I have had to take vehicles to the depot on numerous occasions for the fitness test. Let me tell you, it's not a pleasant experience. The day starts off with a long wait (unless you reach first thing in the morning) followed by a brief inspection under the car, the lights, etc. After the inspection there's another waiting period followed by another inspection of the engine and chassis numbers. Then comes the nightmare, the car is driven for a test drive by the inspector. Let me tell you, it's not nice watching your car being ragged out with it's wheels squealing and loosing a couple months worth of wear and tear just within a few minutes :eusa_wall. I always get the feeling that they do this to encourage people to find a "softer" way to get the cert. After the car has been significantly depreciated in the test drive, there's another waiting period for the actual, hand-written, error-prone, fitness certificate. Word of advice ... check the details on the newly issued cert BEFORE you leave. Humans make errors ... then again, that's if you can make out the hand-writing :eusa_doh:.

This system is ripe for modernisation and restructuring. I don't see why a brand new (non-deportee) vehicle has to be tested in less than 3 years, but it does. Oh, then again the Govt needs the revenue.

At the end of the day, nothing is going to come of this "probe". It will just fall the way of the other 9 day wonders in this country.

The problem lies in the fact that there is no accountability for anything. If I were the PM the first thing I would do is fire the Minister of Transport or whom ever this falls under. There is too much corruption in Jamaica, from the top to the bottom.

[Chris]

The problem lies in the fact that there is no accountability for anything. If I were the PM the first thing I would do is fire the Minister of Transport or whom ever this falls under. There is too much corruption in Jamaica, from the top to the bottom.But hold on, that's not fair - why should he do that? Haven't there been other Jamaican Ministers who also should have been booted for poor performance, indiscretion, youthful exhuberance, allegations of corruption, etc. yet they kept their jobs? Do you think the PM wants to be the only one on his side left in Parliament? :icon_mrgr

[AngelsKiss]

But hold on, that's not fair - why should he do that? Haven't there been other Jamaican Ministers who also should have been booted for poor performance, indiscretion, youthful exhuberance, allegations of corruption, etc. yet they kept their jobs? Do you think the PM wants to be the only one on his side left in Parliament? :icon_mrgr

Chris...(yeah I know you are kidding around) if he had been booting them out 1 by 1 as soon as they mess up, he would have replaced them all by now and send a signal that he will not tolerate corruption...but that's the problem with society in general, it's all about the friendship factor. The whole darn system is corrupt and unfortunately there is no end or light insight :(

You should hear about the big scandal here with the current govt giving kick backs and promising their lawyer friends to make them judge. In some instances, the way they operate here makes Jamaican corruption seems mild.

Believe me it's very frustrating watching these ppl screw up Jamaica, between them and the gunmen I am not sure which is worst. Yeah I know it sounds harsh to compare them to the gunmen, but I am fed up with seen my country go to the pits.

[Chris]

... In some instances, the way they operate here makes Jamaican corruption seems mild.Have you had your country's Auditor-General claim that he can't account for JM$20+Billion in the consolidated fund last year only to have the Minister of Finance publicly claim that some of the money was spent on ... buying buses? :rolleyes:

you're right, we need to be purged of these corrupted systems and people.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20050429/lead/lead3.html

[AngelsKiss]

Have you had your country's Auditor-General claim that he can't account for JM$20+Billion in the consolidated fund last year only to have the Minister of Finance publicly claim that some of the money was spent on ... buying buses? :rolleyes:

you're right, we need to be purged of these corrupted systems and people.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20050429/lead/lead3.html

Hmmm probably not...I tell you the things that go on in that country. See why I say they should fire them?

Reminds me of when Seaga claimed he forgot to pay back the millions of dollars his company had borrowed then blaimed it on his accountant. If that's the way he manages his own company no wonder he didnt do a better job with the country.

[AngelsKiss]

Oops, Chris I forgot about the Cad$250M Inquiry Scandal here in Canada and if you convert to JM it's even more money :(

Even the Prime Minister is implicated in this scandal. What is funny about the whole thing that so far is that most if not all of those implicated are all males, no females.

[nuhsenutten]

the perfect example u ppl.......this guy at school he got his liscene (general) without even going to the tax office or anywhere.....for $5000

[Manu]

I bought my licence. Not because i can't drive...but because in Jamaica....you still haffi pay a little smalls to go through...and that smalls nuh small at all. Their version of a "juice money" is about $3000-$5000. Plus you have to pay for the plastic afterwards.

AK....the PM is corrupt. I think that Omar Davies has something on most of the members in parliament. He is the only one bold enough to admit when he has done something wrong...like taking taxpayers money to fund the last general elections...hence increasing our debt and other countless scandals....that are just swept under the rug. Now PJ talking about special bureau to investigate corruption in governmet? And He himself is corrupt? Is he going to taddle on himself? LOL....well he's leaving pretty soon so i guess he doesn't care. Can't afford to raise the police's wages even with the increased danger they are facing but he can increase his retirement fund and the salaries of politicians to $3 million plus a year.....now remember that politicians get concessions on almost everything...so that is basically 3 million per year just going in their pockets for not doing a damn thing other than sitting on their rears and debate over stupid policies in parliament. We need a change of government. Give the other guys a chance...to see if they can do better...atleast that?!

[Chicokid]

Hmm...so I was right indeed. Corruption does exist in Caribbean politics. Shame Shame.

Well I won't jump to a solution by firing the Transport Minister because as the saying goes "Innocent until proving Guilty". Plus firing or resignation of ministers from the Government puts it in mortal danger of losing the majority in Parliament. If so then the Government would be forced to call fresh elections everytime a minister is fired based on corruption.

Do you honestly want to go the polls once, twice even three times a year :eusa_whis

[Arch_Angel]

What's it like, getting a driver's license and/or getting your car licensed in Grenada Chico?

[Chicokid]

Driver's license...first you need a certificate from a doctor to ensure you in good health to drive. Sight, reflexes, etc.... You do a theory exam in which the pass mark is 75%. Then comes the pratical part in which you pay a tutor or a driving school. Then to do the pratical exam, a police is present. You have to drive through the sticks first without knocking any down...or else you FAIL one time. Next part is on the road where the police gives you instruction and you have to smart enough to know whether or not to follow them, example: if he says "Stop on the bus stop"..you know that's wrong so disobey him or he fails you for not knowing better.

When you are approved, you pay the relevant fees to the Government treasury and you get your license. Fees due on your birthday each year.

To license a car, you must take it the police warehouse to pass the inspection. Example: proper tyres, mirrors, etc....you pay a fee for that to the treasury. Then your car receives the license to drive on the roads for another year.

[Manu]

Well for one...no police present here....and if he was...we would have to obey him. The road code states that we should obey the police man no matter what. Even if he says stop in the middle of the road.

The Car licensing is pretty much the same...except that they take 5 mins to really test your car's mechanic...i.e.....emergency braking and evasive driving (sharp and qucik cornering)