The following is an open statement to Matthew Samuda, president, Generation 2000 (G2K):
The Office of the Contractor General (OCG) notes the article which appeared in the Jamaica Observer on November 23, 2015, entitled ‘$152-m fencing project at National Heroes’ Park a wicked act — G2K’ and the letter to the editor on February 1, 2016 ‘Questions remain unanswered’ and the comments which have been attributed to you in regard to same.
To date, I am not in receipt of a formal complaint from you, but I exercised my discretion and initiative to review the process in keeping with my functions and powers under the Contractor General Act.
Please be advised accordingly that pursuant to Sections 4 and 15 of the Contractor General Act, I decided to review the OCG’s monitoring file and activities in relation to the project.
As a mere courtesy, might I invite you to read Section 20(1) of the Contractor General Act which states the following:
“20. (1) After conducting an investigation under this Act, a contractor general shall, in writing, inform the principal officer of the public body concerned and the minister having responsibility therefor of the result of that investigation and make such recommendations as he considers necessary in respect of the matter which was investigated.”
Most interestingly, I note your comments as reported in the
Observer of February 1, 2016, that:
“G2K further reminds the…OCG that none of the specific questions posed has been answered, and none of the documents requested for public scrutiny has been published.”
We consider the aforementioned comments unfortunate, considering that you, upon your own admission, have not been privy to the OCG’s findings.
Notwithstanding the posture which you have adopted, I invite you to obtain a copy of the OCG’s review of this matter through the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing and/or from the minister responsible therefor, pursuant to the Access to Information Act.
I trust that this letter will address the issues which you have raised in as far as the OCG’s jurisdiction is concerned.
Dirk Harrison
Contractor general
dharrison@ocg.gov.jm
The Office of the Contractor General (OCG) notes the article which appeared in the Jamaica Observer on November 23, 2015, entitled ‘$152-m fencing project at National Heroes’ Park a wicked act — G2K’ and the letter to the editor on February 1, 2016 ‘Questions remain unanswered’ and the comments which have been attributed to you in regard to same.
To date, I am not in receipt of a formal complaint from you, but I exercised my discretion and initiative to review the process in keeping with my functions and powers under the Contractor General Act.
Please be advised accordingly that pursuant to Sections 4 and 15 of the Contractor General Act, I decided to review the OCG’s monitoring file and activities in relation to the project.
As a mere courtesy, might I invite you to read Section 20(1) of the Contractor General Act which states the following:
“20. (1) After conducting an investigation under this Act, a contractor general shall, in writing, inform the principal officer of the public body concerned and the minister having responsibility therefor of the result of that investigation and make such recommendations as he considers necessary in respect of the matter which was investigated.”
Most interestingly, I note your comments as reported in the
Observer of February 1, 2016, that:
“G2K further reminds the…OCG that none of the specific questions posed has been answered, and none of the documents requested for public scrutiny has been published.”
We consider the aforementioned comments unfortunate, considering that you, upon your own admission, have not been privy to the OCG’s findings.
Notwithstanding the posture which you have adopted, I invite you to obtain a copy of the OCG’s review of this matter through the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing and/or from the minister responsible therefor, pursuant to the Access to Information Act.
I trust that this letter will address the issues which you have raised in as far as the OCG’s jurisdiction is concerned.
Dirk Harrison
Contractor general
dharrison@ocg.gov.jm