BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MINISTER of Justice and Legal Affairs, Vincent Byron has provided an update on the functioning of the Integrity in Public Life Commission, which has been under the microscope for sometime.
The Commission has not been functioning properly, as it was not given the proper mandate to carry out its function properly. While updating reporters on the good governance agenda, the minister disclosed that the Government recently received a report on the operation of the body.
“These reports by law are expected to be tabled in the Parliament so that everybody will be able to see the work of the Commission,” said Byron.
The AG noted that members of the Commission have been working “assiduously” over the past several months to get their operations functional. But when it comes to the established purpose of the body, he conceded that there is still more regulatory work to be done.
“At this point in time, the Commission is trying to streamline a number of the regulations that are required to have those who should submit declarations to the Commission do so,” noted Byron.
At a press conference late late year, officials of the Commission confirmed that they were not fully functional at that time because they lacked the necessary SR&O to mandate public officials, including those within the government to declare their assets.
No timeframe was given when that measure will be passed to mandate the functioning of the Commission. Now, AG Byron and other public officials are concerned about the number of individuals to whom the law covers.
As it currently stands, a large number of public servants are covered by the regulations passed by the National Assembly.
“We have heard from the Commission that under the current legislation, some 1,400 individuals would have had to be covered. And one of the things that they are working on is to see how this number can be reduced significantly under 1,400 to be able to make it more effective,” the AG said.
Though government officials, Parliamentarians and other public officials will declare their assets, that information will remain private until it is made public through court records.
The Integrity in Public Life Commission will oversee all public officials and monitor their assets to ensure no wrongdoings occur while they are in office.
In the event discrepancies are found, it is expected that the body will thoroughly investigate and report its findings.
Also, should any discrepancy warrants prosecution, all information will be turned over to the Director of Public Prosecution for guidance.
