The cloud of secrecy surrounding the Jamaican Government’s appointment of General Rocky Meade as ambassador plenipotentiary has spurred the Opposition People’s National Party into demanding details of the position. The new post comes Just five months after public pressure forced Rocky Meade to decline a controversial posting as Cabinet secretary.
On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, the Office of the Prime Minister announced that General Rocky Meade had been appointed ambassador plenipotentiary responsible for national strategic initiatives.
However, the Opposition’s spokesperson on finance, Julian Robinson, has questioned the specific role that Meade will play in that post.
He has also called for Prime Minister Andrew Holness to disclose Meade’s compensation package to the public.
,”The Opposition further calls on the prime minister to clarify where this newly created post will fit within the public service, as it appears to overlap with existing positions and responsibilities, which would be an inefficient use of scarce public resources,” Robinson says.
Julian Robinson Opposition spokesperson for finance
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office on Tuesday, Meade would have broad powers similar to those of a Cabinet secretary. For example, he would advise the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and coordinate national strategic initiatives and projects across ministries, departments, and agencies within the Government. Meade would also has powers to sign treaties on behalf of the country.
So what the Jamaican people are witnessing is a Prime Minister who will usurp the Constitution to get his way. He is dead set on appointing people to sensitive positions for which they are not qualified.
Essentially, the PM has given the position of Cabinet secretary a new name and appointed a non-civil servant to the position.