PM Holness seeks to tackle public contracting

PRIME MINISTER Andrew Holness will shortly be meeting with Contractor General Greg Christie to discuss issues of concern regarding public contracting in Jamaica.

In a letter dated October 24, Christie had written to Prime Minister Holness indicating that his office "Stands ready to discuss with you ... the hopes of my commission."

The Office of the Contractor General (OCG) boss will place on the agenda the "pervasive perception of corruption in public contracting in Jamaica".

He will also highlight several recommendations made by his office to significantly enhance transparency, competition, accountability and probity in public contracting, among other proposals.

"...Your expressed willingness to meet with me is welcomed, particularly against the background of the public commitments that you have recently made to tackle corruption in Jamaica, to ensure public transparency of the decisions of your Government, and to be open with the Jamaican people," Christie said in a release on Monday.

The OCG head sent copies of his letter to Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller, Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Douglas Saunders and permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Onika Miller.