PNP Presses Government On Antony Anderson’s Appointment To Lead NaRRA

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is demanding clarity from the Government on whether Ambassador Antony Anderson formally sought the job of chief executive officer at the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) before Prime Minister Andrew Holness appointed him.

The party raised the issue in a statement released soon after Wednesday morning’s announcement. It said the Government must explain the circumstances of the appointment, including whether Major-General Anderson was part of the original recruitment process for the post.

The PNP said it expects Anderson to carry out the role with transparency, integrity and accountability. However, it argued that if he was not an applicant, Jamaicans should be told plainly why the recruitment effort did not identify a suitable person for the position.

According to the party, a failed search for an appointable candidate would point to deeper problems in the structure under which NaRRA operates, rather than a simple hiring setback.

The Opposition said it has repeatedly warned about weaknesses in the governance arrangements contained in the NaRRA legislation. It added that Anderson’s selection has not eased those concerns, but has instead made them sharper.

The PNP said the Government’s decision to turn to a serving ambassador posted to Jamaica’s most important international partner, after only 12 months in that assignment, was significant. In its view, the situation suggests qualified professionals may have been discouraged by the institutional and governance issues the party has criticised.

The party also objected to placing what it described as a loyal technocrat with military and policing experience in charge of the civilian authority, especially if the recruitment process was not completed in the usual way.

The PNP called for the Government to give Jamaicans the full details behind the appointment. It also urged the Administration to bring amendments to fix what it called major governance flaws that continue to weaken public confidence in NaRRA and to put the agency on a more accountable footing without delay.