Prime Minister Andrew Holness
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has said he strongly disagrees with the findings of the Integrity Commission report concerning a possible conflict of interest by him in relation to the award of government contracts to the company of a business associate.
He has referred the matter to his lawyers.
The investigation surrounds allegations that contracts were awarded to Westcon Construction Limited between 2006 and 2009, and that there is a connection and/or relationship between the directors of Westcon and Mr. Holness, who was then Minister of Education, Youth and Information.
The Integrity Commission has referred the report to the Director of Corruption Prosecution.
But in a statement on Wednesday evening, Mr. Holness said he strongly rejects "any suggestion or insinuation of wrongdoing" based on his association.
He noted that the award of contracts outlined in the report date as far back as 14 to 17 years ago.
In response to queries by the Integrity Commission, the Prime Minister said he made it clear that "at no time have I ever exercised influence on any process for the award of contracts".
He added that it has been the longstanding practice that Members of Parliament are asked to recommend local contractors to undertake works in their constituencies.
This practice, he said, was introduced during the 1990s and has continued across multiple administrations since.
According to Mr. Holness, it is also the practice that Constituency Project Officers for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are recommended by the Member of Parliament, which means it is likely these persons are already working in the constituency organisation and are associated with the MP. This arrangement has never been cited as undue influence, he suggested.
Mr. Holness also complained that the Integrity Commission’s report ignored the circumstances of an emergency in 2008, where the ‘Christmas Work’ programme was late in starting and workers faced a high probability of not being paid.
He said he had been asked to recommend an entity to facilitate payment of the programme before the close of business for the Christmas holidays, and this was done in good faith.
"To see this being targeted and made into something it is not, is gravely disappointing," the statement said.
The Prime Minister said he and the government remain committed to tackling corruption in the country, but the processes of doing so must be practical, balanced and fair to all concerned.
The Prime Minister's full statement:
I have just completed my preliminary review of the Integrity Commission
Report. Please note my initial comments:
1. The matter covered in the report of the OCG/Integrity Commission
concerning the award of contracts as far back as 2006-2009, over 14-
17 years ago.
2. The failure of agencies to comply with various procurement rules
cannot be attributed to me in any capacity and we note that the
report does not make such a conclusion.
3. In my response to the Integrity Commission queries of these dated
matters, I made it absolutely clear that at no time have I ever exercised
influence on any process for the award of contracts.
4. I strongly disagree with the findings of the Integrity Commission
regarding conflict of interest based on mere association.
5. It has been the longstanding practice that Members of Parliament are
asked to recommend local contractors to undertake works in their
constituencies as a practical matter. This practice was introduced
during the 1990s and has continued across multiple administrations
since. Furthermore, it is also the practice that Constituency Project
Officers for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are
recommended by the Member of Parliament.
It is not unusual that CDF Projects Officers are persons who are already
working in the constituency organization and are associated with the
MP. I am certain that a review of local works and CDF Projects Officers
will find that MP recommendations feature significantly in a vast
number of them, and this has never been cited as exercising undue
influence.
6. The Integrity Commission’s report also ignores the circumstances of an
emergency, where in 2008, 15 years ago the ‘Christmas Work’
programme was late in starting and workers faced a high probability of
not being paid. I was asked to recommend an entity to facilitate
payment of the ‘Christmas Work Programme’ before the close of
business for the Christmas holidays. This was done in good faith. To see
this being targeted and made into something it is not, is gravely
disappointing.
7. I strongly disagree with some of the findings of the report and have
referred it to my lawyers. I strongly reject any suggestion or insinuation
of wrongdoing and I will do all in my power to ensure that the truth is
known.
8. I, and the government I lead, remain strongly committed to tackling
corruption in our country. The processes of doing so must, however, be
practical, balanced, and fair to all concerned.
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