INTEGRITY COMMISSION BILL 2016
PARLIAMENT HAS commenced debate on the Integrity Commission Bill 2016, which is aimed at establishing a single body to be named the Integrity Commission to investigate, detect, prevent and prosecute acts of corruption in the public sector and among parliamentarians.
In opening the debate on the bill, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck informed his colleagues in Parliament that the far-reaching piece of legislation is intended to promote and enhance standards of ethical conduct for par- liamentarians, public officials and other persons by consolidating laws relating to the prevention of corruption and the award, monitoring and investigating of government contracts and prescribed licences.
The proposed Integrity Commission will assume the powers and responsibilities of the Commission for the prevention of Corruption, the Integrity Commission and the Office of the Contractor General.
The following are some of the provisions in the bill.
Clause 3 Outlines the principal objectives of the legislation
• Further encourage and promote propriety and integrity among persons exercising public functions in Jamaica; • Promote and strengthen measures for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of acts of corruption; • Ensure that government contracts are awarded varied, renewed or terminated impartially, on merit and in a financially prudent manner, and • Enhance public confidence that acts of corruption and impropriety committed by persons exercising public functions will be appropriately investigated and dealt with in a manner that achieves accountability, fairness and transparency.
Clause 6 (1) Functions of the commission
• Investigate alleged or suspected acts of corruption and instances of non-compliance with the provisions of the act; • Prosecute acts of corruption and offences
committed under this act; • Take necessary and effective measures for the prevention and detection of corruption within public bodies; • Receive complaints in relation to alleged or suspected acts of corruption and non-compliance with the provisions of this act; • Monitor and, where necessary, investigate the award, implementation and termination of government contracts; • Coordinate the implementation of an anti
corruption strategy; • Determine the extent of financial loss and such other losses to public bodies, private individuals and organisations, including losses sustained by the private sector, as a result of acts of corruption.
Clause 6 (2) In the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under this act, the commission:
• Shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority other than the Court by way of judicial review; • Shall act independently, impartially, fairly and in the public interest; and • Shall have the power to do all such things as it considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions.