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Integrity Commission will have final say – Ramjattan
– Dismisses Opposition’s ‘power shift’ concerns
Amidst concerns by the main Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party /Civic
Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan
(PPP/C), that the proposed amendments to the integrity laws will give “new” power to the President and the Minister of State, the Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan thinks otherwise.
While registering his support for the proposed amendments and the revision of the Code of Conduct for Ministers, members of the National Assembly and public office holders, the Public Security Minister said that he sees no issue with the proposals and is questioning the reason for the Opposition’s rebuff.
He dismissed the notion that the amendments will give powers to the President and the State Minister.
Ramjattan said that the Integrity Commission amendment Bill makes provision for the establishment of an Integrity Commission.
This ‘independent’ body, he explained, will have the final say on who will be disciplined and how they should be disciplined.
The Code of Conduct was one of the promises made by the Coalition during their May 2015 elections campaign – which they won.
Six months after getting into Office, the Coalition Administration released its draft Code of
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
Conduct for Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs) and other public officials, warning against excessive gambling and accepting big gifts, especially from suppliers who do business with the government.
According to the document, ministers by virtue of the oath or affirmation of allegiance taken when they are elected, have a duty to be faithful and to bear true allegiance to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, according to law.
Moreover, the code addresses one of the sore issues of officials accepting gifts, noting that the acceptance of gifts and other forms of reward worth more than $10,000 by ministers, MPs and public office holders in their official capacity, shall be reported to the Integrity Commission.
Ministers, MPs and Public Office holders should consider declining such gratuities if the acceptance could be perceived to have an effect on their objectivity , initial reports on the Code had revealed.
General Secretary of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, during a news conference last week, accused the Prime Minister of trying to undermine the laws by giving the President executive authority to go after people; to discipline people.”
PPP/C General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo
Under Article 12 Breach of Code (1), “The Authority for ensuring the observance of the provisions of this code shall rest with the President in the case of Vice-Presidents or Ministers, and the Minister of State in the case of the other persons in public life.”
Jagdeo zeroed in on this clause and postulated that all Ministers are subject to this provision. He questioned who will “discipline the President when he violates the provisions of the Act.”
Further, Jagdeo referenced Article 12 Breach of Code (2) which states: “A person in public life may be removed from office when he or she contravenes any of the provisions in this code.”
Jagdeo is arguing that the Minister of State will have the power to remove an MP if the amendments should be made.
However, there are laws that would protect the Member of Parliament from any abuse of power. Ramjattan said that the proposals were made in keeping with international best practices and the rejection of the proposals by the PPP/C is an indication that “they don’t want to live up to any high standards”.
Quizzed on what will be Government’s next move, Ramjattan said that the Bill will be taken to the National Assembly where he is confident that it will gain support.
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