We’ve heard more than enough (un)sordid details about the proposed East-West Arterial extension — how it will be paid for, whose land it goes through, who bought what land when, or where.
From our vantage point, the lack of disclosure by Premier Alden McLaughlin and Minister Kurt Tibbetts that their family members own property along the road corridor seems to be an error of judgment, not evidence of corruption.
We hope their reticence does not doom the public-private partnership with the Ironwood developers because Grand Cayman needs the highway extension and could benefit from the luxury golf course development.
As far as we’re concerned, let’s get on with construction already.
The good news for Messrs. McLaughlin and Tibbetts is the truth is now out — and it’s not nearly so bad as the non-disclosure itself.
Yes, the pair should have been aware of the appearance of a conflict of interest, and yes, they should have volunteered the relevant information instead of waiting for a reporter’s phone call. But that’s a problem of optics, not substance.
The greater problem is the arrangement that spawns questions about politicians’ personal motivations in the first place: that is, the practice of having elected lawmakers negotiate, agree to and supervise the execution of major capital projects.
Whether it’s an airport expansion, cruise dock, landfill, school or road, Cayman Islands politicians can’t seem to keep out of the kitchen, leading to allegations that they’ve been sneaking from the pot.
Local lawmakers are prone to inject themselves right into the middle of capital projects — right where they shouldn’t be.
Instead of trying to manage projects, our elected leaders should be identifying goals of ambition and substance, issuing challenges to bring about those results, and finally, only when the procurement process has concluded, should they step on stage to shake hands, sign documents and be photographed wielding golden shovels or scissors. Politicians should have little to no role in the project as it unfolds; not just because of concerns over selfish machinations, but also because major capital projects require practical expertise, which politicians don’t have, and multiple-year time lines, which politicians can’t afford.
Although there is a grain of truth to former Premier McKeeva Bush’s protestations that overly restrictive “good governance” measures can “hold up business,” just take a look at what the Lone Ranger approach to procurement has gotten Cayman: a $100 million-plus high school (along with an unfinished campus in George Town and a vacant lot in West Bay), an 80-foot high dump, an overcrowded Grand Cayman airport and roads clogged with rush-hour gridlock.
Here’s what Cayman hasn’t gotten: ideas to transform our broken public education system, viable solutions for waste management, a meaningful policy on balancing tourism with development and lifestyle, or a comprehensive plan for transportation infrastructure — encompassing roads, public transit and other means such as walking or biking.
We do hold out some hope for the cruise berthing procurement process, Cayman’s first experiment (prompted by the U.K.) in divorcing elected officials (and the election cycle) from the day-to-day operations of major project planning. We shall see if our civil servants and government consultants can succeed where multiple elected governments have failed.
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Say it again editor. If I remember clearly an official stated that this proposed route has been moved several times to accommodate one view point or another. Where is the project management office called for to insure Value for money and to oversee due process. A reporter should not have to be researching possible conflict of interest, it should be a standard set by the contracting office to identify and notify high ranking official of any decision made that may add to that official,s need for disclosure. Note to project file: The safety officer supervised the use of the scissors.
The greater problem is…the practice of having elected lawmakers negotiate, agree to and supervise the execution of major capital projects…Cayman Islands politicians can’t seem to keep out of the kitchen, leading to allegations that they’ve been sneaking from the pot…Local lawmakers are prone to inject themselves right into the middle of capital projects right where they shouldn’t be.. I’m surprised it has taken this long for you to correctly point this out. Who needs professionals when politicians can assume the role of architect, engineer, and project manager? Only in Cayman.