Contractor General defends office

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer



Contractor General Dirk Harrison has welcomed statements made by Justice Minister Senator Mark Golding against changes to the Contractor General Act which would allow persons to sue that office for defamation.



The issue was raised after the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) indicated that Member of Parliament for North West Manchester Richard Azan had breached the government procurement regulations and labelled his actions in the Spaldings Market controversy as politically corrupt.



However, the Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn ruled that there was no basis on which to charge the MP for his involvement in the matter.



In response to calls for amendments to the OCG Act, the Justice Minister has said he would be cautious over any such change to the rules governing the OCG.



In embracing the Justice Minister’s comments, the Contractor General declared that his office, in the conduct of its investigations, would ensure that where there is no evidence to substantiate allegations, the OCG would indicate as such.



At the same time, Harrison has defended his office against suggestions that he has an agenda, following the release of two special investigative reports.



He pointed out that his agenda is to do what is right at all times and that his

moral compass knows no colour, creed, class or interest group.



The Contractor General was speaking yesterday during a St Ann Justices of the Peace Association awards banquet on board the Carnival Breeze cruise ship in Ocho Rios.



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