By Balford Henry, Senior Reporter
Patterson
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson yesterday announced new measures to address what he described as "some of the worst cases and manifestations of corruption" in public life.
In a statement to the House of Representatives, amidst growing public concern about corruption in public service, Mr. Patterson promised:
Permanent guidelines to guide the contracts award process under the National Contracts Commission's reorganised contracting system in the public sector.
Consideration during the current legislative year to support the recommendation of the Matalon Report, that where the Integrity Commission recognises that a conflict of interest arises, or is likely to arise, in terms of investments in the possession of the Prime Minister or the Ministers at the time of their appointment, the Commission may require the Prime Minister or the Ministers to divest themselves of the investments or place them in a blind trust, as appropriate.
Imposition of a limitation on the discretion of Parliamentary Leaders to determine what further action to be taken, in the event that Members of Parliament refuse to respond to the queries of the Integrity Commission, or where they fail to make the necessary statutory declarations.
In addition, appropriate amendments to the Parliament (Integrity of Members) Act to: Be in conformity with the provisions of the proposed Corruption Prevention Act; empower the Commission to send a report, in their discretion, to the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Commissioner of Police to take appropriate action; allow the appropriate Parliamentary leader to refer the report, or any matter, to the Privileges Committee of the House in accordance with the Standing Orders.
In tandem with the likely passage of the delayed Corruption Prevention Act, an agency is to be established under the Corruption Commission by statute to handle criminal investigations into corruption now being handled by the police.
The agency will be separated from the police force and have its own distinctive structure. Personnel will be required to go through a thorough selection process involving strict antecedent checks, psychological profiling, educational sustainability and the training must be of the highest quality to ensure efficient and effective performance.
