By Halshane Burke
Jamaica has seen no improvement in its score in the latest Corruption Perception Index.
The latest data released by Transparency International on Thursday revealed that Jamaica's score remains 44 for 2022, when compared with 2021.
A score of 50 and above indicates that the country is making an effort to tackle corruption while those below the half mark are thought not to be doing enough to deal with incidents and reports of corrupt practices.
Principal Director of the National Integrity Action, Professor Trevor Munroe, said despite more people exposing corruption and providing information, Jamaica appears to be "standing still" on the index.
With a score of 44, the country ranks 69 out of 180 countries.
In 2021, Jamaica also scored 44 but was ranked 70th.
Professor Munroe has bemoaned the lack of action on the issues identified in the 2021 Corruption Perception Index as being in need of attention.
The NIA director said now more than ever the country is required to move forward to address systemic issues.
He said the partnership for integrity which has helped to prevent regression, needs to be intensified and efforts sustained in all the areas requiring attention.
Among the issues for which he wants urgent action is the protection of whistleblowers or people who come forward with information on corrupt individuals.
Professor Munroe also appealed for the Joint Select Committee to recommend a modification of the so-called "gag clause" of the Integrity Commission Act which prevents commissioners from saying whether or not they are investigating a particular allegation of corruption.
Additionally, he wants non-compliant directors "either to rectify their illegality in directing public bodies or to be brought before the courts".
Professor Munroe said public outcry should not be discounted in the fight against corruption, pointing to the ongoing probe into allegations of fraud at investment firm, Stocks and Securities Limited.
He argued that the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) might not have been called in to help in the probe, neither would the Bank of Jamaica have been urged to take over the securities sector had the public not raised alarm over the alleged fraud.
Professor Munroe was speaking at a media briefing Tuesday morning on the latest Corruption Perception Index released by Transparency International.
