DELROY CHUCK, Opposition spokes-man on justice, wants the Corruption Prevention Commission to make regular reports to Parliament about its investigations.
Mr. Chuck told the House of Representatives yesterday that the Commission should make quarterly reports to Parliament, so that legislators and the public, in general, could have a chance to assess its work.
"The public should know so it is kept aware of what the Commission is doing," Mr. Chuck said during debate on a resolution relating to salaries for the Commissioners.
APPROVED
The resolution was subsequently approved by the House and will see the chairman of the Commission getting $600,000 per annum, while the other four members will take home $420,000 per annum.
State Minister for Finance and Planning, Fitz Jackson, who piloted the resolution, agreed with Mr. Chuck's call. He said the law requires the Commission to report to Parliament on an annual basis, but accepted that this did not mean it could not provide more regular reports.
Mr. Jackson assured his colleagues "that all will be done to ensure transparency in the work of the Commission."
The Commission has the responsibility for investigating corruption in the public sector. There were several delays in its start-up even though the Corruption Prevention Act was passed in 2000. The body received the green light to carry out its work earlier this year, with parliamentary approval of the regulations which give it operational guidelines.
In keeping with the regulations, all public servants earning $2 million and above, as well as those who occupy specified posts in the public sector, will be required to file declarations. All members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force will also be required to file declarations to the Commission.
David Grey, secretary-manager, said the body has had good responses from the more than 25,000 public servants who were required to file declarations by April 30.
