Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
EIGHT MEMBERS of Parliament and Senators were granted exemptions to enter into contracts with the government.
Section 41 of the Constitution requires a Member of the Houses of Parliament to vacate his/her seat if any firm in which he/she is a partner, director or manager becomes a party to any contract with the government for or on account of the public service.
They can however be asked to be exempted from this provision, through permission from the Houses of Parliament.
Exemptions were requested by Government MPs; Dr. Patrick Harris, and Dr. Paul Robertson and Government Senators Noel Sloley, Kern Spencer and Trevor Munroe for the period 2003 to 2005.
Opposition MP, Everald Warmington and two Opposition Senators, Dwight Nelson and Shirley Williams requested exemption during the same period.
Notice was given for exemption motions for Government MP, Dr. Donald Rhodd, but has not yet been approved by the House.
In 2003, Dr. Robertson asked to be exempted from vacating his seat under the provision of Section 41 because he was director of PKD Limited, which from time to time enters into contracts with the government.
Dr. Harris in July of this year, asked for exemption because he was a shareholder in Tropical Exotics Jamaica Ltd., which operates a business on land which is part of the Hague property, and which is owned by government.
This company from time to time enters into contracts with the Government and its affiliated agencies to provide services having to do with the farming and the supply of fish products, as well as attraction and entertainment.
Government Senator, Kern Spencer in July last year who was a director of Butterfly Traders Limited at the time, asked for exemption to enter into contracts with the Government and its affiliated agencies.
Exemption was granted to Senator Noel Sloely because he was a director of Jamaica Tours Limited and Car Rental, among other companies which enter into contracts with the Government. Mr. Sloley deals in real estate and transportation.
PRIVATE CONSULTANT
Senator Munroe was granted exemption last year because he was a private consultant engaged to the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, which from time to time allows him to enter into contracts with the government to provide consultancy services.
Mr. Warmington was granted exemption in 2003 because he was the chairman and chief executive officer of Strathairn Construction Company Ltd., a general construction, management engineering and quantity surveying company.
Ms. Williams in October 2003, was granted exemption by the Senate because she was director of Matrix Group of Companies and Poly-Diagnostics Centre Ltd., which provides services having to do with engineering, construction, technical and analytical services.
