Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

MacMillan

THE GOVERNMENT seems set to receive support from the opposition People's National Party (PNP) with regards to the National Independent Investigative Agency Act which is aimed at tackling corruption in public life and transnational organised crime.

"It is something that we place great importance on," Dr. Peter Phillips, opposition spokesman on National Security told The Gleaner yesterday hours after it was announced that Colonel Trevor MacMillan had been appointed special advisor in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.

A release from the ministry said Col. Macmillan's responsibilities will include assisting in the formulating and implementation of policies that will enhance government's revenue collection drive.

"Specifically, Col. Macmillan will be assisting the ministry with the passage of a revised National Independent Investigative Authority Act."

While refusing to comment on the appointment of Col. MacMillan, Dr. Phillips, Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives, said that extensive work has already been done in drafting the proposed Act.

"The drafting and the consultation took us about a year and a half, two years," Dr. Phillips said.

Sought advice

"We had just about completed the act. We sought a lot of advice, we consulted widely; locally as well as internationally," Dr. Phillips said of the draft document which he described as complex.

He told The Gleaner that it was concluded just about before the September 3 general election. He said the opposition considers the Act important and added that it was schedules to be laid in Parliament.

Col. Macmillan, a former head of the Revenue Protection Division was an officer of the Jamaica Defence Force and Commissioner of Police. He told The Gleaner that he plans to give of his best in the job.

Col. Macmillan, however, told The Gleaner tha he has accepted the job he has not yet received a letter of appointment.

The appointment of a special prosecutor and the enactment of anti-corruption laws were among a list of promises the JLP had made leading into the election.

Col. Macmillan, meanwhile, told The Gleaner that he cannot make any guarantees as to how soon the Act will be ready to be sent to Parliament.

"I can't put a timeline on it but it is urgently needed," said Col. Macmillan who The Gleaner understands has been asked to head the proposed special prosecutions unit.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com