By Vernon Daley, Staff Reporter
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (centre) arriving yesterday for the launch of the Corruption Prevention Commission at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. With him are Police Commissioner Francis Forbes (left) and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice A.J. Nicholson. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson yesterday launched the Corruption Prevention Commission and reiterated that he will not tolerate even a hint of corruption in his Government.
Mr. Patterson said there have been several instances of inefficiency and genuine error in the conduct of public business but argued that these should not be confused with corruption.
"Having said that, however, let me make it absolutely clear, as I did on the night of October 16, that I will not abide even a hint of any corrupt practice in this administration," the Prime Minister told a large gathering of students, police officers, diplomats and members of the judiciary who turned up at the Jamaica Conference Centre for the launch.
Faced with harsh public criticism about alleged acts of corruption in his previous administration, Mr. Patterson insisted in his victory speech following the October 16, 2002 election that he would not embrace corruption in his Government.
He told his audience that when individual Government members are accused of wrongdoing, all members of the Government are tainted.
"What affects one, affects all," he said.
During his first six months in office, Mr. Patterson has come under severe attacks from critics over his decision to support former Water and Housing Minister Dr. Karl Blythe and the current Minister of Finance, Dr. Omar Davies, both of whom were accused of wrongdoing.
Earlier this year, Mr. Patterson told the House of Representatives that he accepted a report from former Solicitor-General, Dr. Kenneth Rattray Q.C., that exonerated Dr. Blythe of wrongdoing in the Operation PRIDE housing scandal which broke last year.
Recently, the Prime Minister also came out in support of Dr. Davies after the Finance Minister found himself in a storm of controversy following his confession that he maintained spending on certain government projects in an effort to give the governing People's National Party an advantage in last year's general election.
During his speech yesterday, Mr. Patterson said the Commission should be seen as another tool in the already extensive system of safeguarding national integrity. He said his Government would give its unwavering support to the body which will be responsible for detecting and rooting out corruption from the public sector.
"I am confident that this Commis-sion can and will be successful," the Prime Minister said. He added that a police force, free of corruption and a vigilant public, were crucial in ensuring that the Commission was able to carry out its job.
Attorney-General, and Minister of Justice, A.J. Nicholson, who chaired the function, said the Commission was a part of the administration's effort to foster greater accountability and transparency in public life.
Ambassador of the Republic of Chile, Fernando Prado, congratulated the Government on the move to set up the Commission, noting that it falls within general efforts being made by the international community to stem corruption and organised crime.
The five-member Commission includes Justice Chester Orr (chairman); educator Rosemarie Vernon; lawyer William Chin-See; Canon Weeville Gordon and Auditor General Adrian Strachan.
Public servants have until April 30 to file declarations of their income, assets and liabilities to the anti-corruption body. In keeping with the regulations, all public servants earning $2 million and above, as well as those who occupy specified posts in the public service, will be required to file declarations.
All members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force will also be required to file declarations to the Commission.
