Integrity Act to be amended

By Linda Straker

PUBLIC officials in Grenada will have to wait a few more months before they can declare their assets as required in the 2007 Integrity in Public Life Act because of important amendments which must be done to the piece of legislation which establishes the Integrity Commission.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell recently told reporters that though the amendments are minor, they are important in order to have the Commission – which chaired by former Judge Lyle St. Paul – operational. At the time, Dr. Mitchell could not remember what changes were required in the legislation, but persons close to the Commission have disclosed that the amended Bill will most likely be presented to the Houses Parliament for approval during the early days of the second session of the Ninth Parliament.

One of the most important changes will be removing a public servant to be secretary to the Commission.

“The law requires that a secretary shall come from the public service. It therefore means that it will be a violation of the law to appoint someone who is not a public officer. This, we believe, is a conflict of interest for the public servant, who will be so seconded because the Commission will be investigating public officers,” said one person who is supporting the amendment.


Investigations have revealed that the relevant recommendations were pointed out to the previous Tillman Thomas administration, but no action was taken. Not only did they not act on the recommendations to ensure that the Commission was up and functioning effectively, but no money was actually allotted to the Commission although it was allocated in the Budget presentations of the NDC administration.

Dr. Mitchell said that he had informed the Commission that he was willing to call a news conference and personally declare his assets, but they have informed him that his is not necessary because all they really need are the relevant changes to the legislation.

“We intend to go to the Parliament quickly with this,” he told reporters, while reaffirming his belief that assets need to be declared. “They informed me that the forms and other things are ready and waiting.”

The Integrity in Public Life Act calls for public officers and persons associated with Government institutions to declare their assets annually. However, one of the major changes announced upon taking office on February 20, 2013, Dr. Mitchell said that he will ask the Commission to engage phase compliance starting with Parliamentarians, who will be followed by senior public servants.

It is believed that almost 15 000 persons will be expected to declare their assets to the Commission.