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'Not your job'
PM reprimands contractor-general in procurement procedures disputeBalford Henry, Observer writer balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Prime Minister Bruce Golding yesterday rejected contractor-general Greg Christie's suggestion that the Government reconsider exempting some contractual arrangements at five major public bodies from its procurement procedures. At the same time, the prime minister firmly outlined for the contractor-general the boundaries of his authority.
"It is not the function of the contractor-general to set the rules, that is the responsibility of the National Contracts Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and the Parliament," the prime minister said in a statement to the House of Representatives.
Golding said that in setting, or amending the procurement rules, although there is no requirement to consult the contractor-general, his Government always considered his views important and worthy of careful consideration. However, he pointed out that final determination must rest with those authorised to do so.
"The Government has sought his views on this and other matters relating to the procedures for the award of contracts," said Golding. "However, the final determination rests with those in whom the authority to do so is vested, and who are answerable to the people of Jamaica through Parliament."
The five bodies being exempted are Air Jamaica, Petrojam Limited, the Port Authority of Jamaica, Jamaica Vacations Limited and the Jamaica Tourist Board.
The prime minister's response is the latest episode in a row between Christie and the administration over the Cabinet's decision to exempt "in limited, specified transactions and subject to particular conditions", certain public sector entities from government procurement procedures.
Christie had said in a release Monday that the Government should reconsider the implications of taking the step "in the interest of preserving fairness, transparency, probity, competition, accountability and value for money in the country's procurement system".
But Golding said that the exemptions were necessary because some transactions in which the bodies engage require them to act expeditiously, or in circumstances that cannot be efficiently carried out within the procurement procedures.
He explained that outside of the limited exemptions, they will need to comply with the established procedures.
The procurement activities which are to be exempted will still be subject to monitoring and investigation by the contractor-general, and in that regard the intensified surveillance, which Christie says he intends to apply, is most welcome and the Government will take strong disciplinary action in any case of abuse, said Golding.
He also read into the records of the House, a letter from the chairman of the National Contracts Commission, Shirley Tyndall, stating that the exemption of the five bodies, as well as the broader framework for amending the procurement guidelines, were discussed between the NCC and the Ministry of Finance, and the NCC offered no objection.
Golding also described as an "unworthy and unwarranted" attack on minister of finance and the public service, Audley Shaw, Christie's statement on Monday that in justifying the exemptions, the minister "seems to be unwilling to be subjected to any form of accountability or probity" in spending taxpayers' money.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/..._YOUR_JOB_.asp
PM reprimands contractor-general in procurement procedures disputeBalford Henry, Observer writer balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Prime Minister Bruce Golding yesterday rejected contractor-general Greg Christie's suggestion that the Government reconsider exempting some contractual arrangements at five major public bodies from its procurement procedures. At the same time, the prime minister firmly outlined for the contractor-general the boundaries of his authority.
"It is not the function of the contractor-general to set the rules, that is the responsibility of the National Contracts Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and the Parliament," the prime minister said in a statement to the House of Representatives.
Golding said that in setting, or amending the procurement rules, although there is no requirement to consult the contractor-general, his Government always considered his views important and worthy of careful consideration. However, he pointed out that final determination must rest with those authorised to do so.
"The Government has sought his views on this and other matters relating to the procedures for the award of contracts," said Golding. "However, the final determination rests with those in whom the authority to do so is vested, and who are answerable to the people of Jamaica through Parliament."
The five bodies being exempted are Air Jamaica, Petrojam Limited, the Port Authority of Jamaica, Jamaica Vacations Limited and the Jamaica Tourist Board.
The prime minister's response is the latest episode in a row between Christie and the administration over the Cabinet's decision to exempt "in limited, specified transactions and subject to particular conditions", certain public sector entities from government procurement procedures.
Christie had said in a release Monday that the Government should reconsider the implications of taking the step "in the interest of preserving fairness, transparency, probity, competition, accountability and value for money in the country's procurement system".
But Golding said that the exemptions were necessary because some transactions in which the bodies engage require them to act expeditiously, or in circumstances that cannot be efficiently carried out within the procurement procedures.
He explained that outside of the limited exemptions, they will need to comply with the established procedures.
The procurement activities which are to be exempted will still be subject to monitoring and investigation by the contractor-general, and in that regard the intensified surveillance, which Christie says he intends to apply, is most welcome and the Government will take strong disciplinary action in any case of abuse, said Golding.
He also read into the records of the House, a letter from the chairman of the National Contracts Commission, Shirley Tyndall, stating that the exemption of the five bodies, as well as the broader framework for amending the procurement guidelines, were discussed between the NCC and the Ministry of Finance, and the NCC offered no objection.
Golding also described as an "unworthy and unwarranted" attack on minister of finance and the public service, Audley Shaw, Christie's statement on Monday that in justifying the exemptions, the minister "seems to be unwilling to be subjected to any form of accountability or probity" in spending taxpayers' money.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/..._YOUR_JOB_.asp
(wry smile!)
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