by Dominique Lescott
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): With World Anti-Corruption Day being observed on Thursday, local officials are poised to pass critical legislation to protect the Federation against public instances of corruption.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Integrity Commission (IC) held a press conference today under the theme – United Against Corruption.
The Integrity Commission safeguards the public’s best interests by ensuring optimum levels of transparency, accountability, and integrity are maintained by those serving in public office and managing public systems in the people’s interests in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Our job, our mandate is to ensure that our public officials and persons in our statutory bodies comply with our code of conduct embodied within the Act and if they do that, we should see a drastic reduction in corruption in our Federation,” said Commissioner Carol Boddie.
The Commission was established in 2018, with the initial focus of getting its scope identified and offices established.
“It’s taken time to review our Act [Public Life Act No. 18 of 2013] and understand clearly what our mandates are”. The work programme for 2022 “we intend to launch or continue our information processes.”
The Commission’s next actions include drafting and tabling legislation that supports the Public Life Act on matters of Anti Corruption.
A Statutory Rule and Order (SRO) will serve as the guideline for public officials to follow for filing declarations with the Integrity Commission. At present, the Integrity Commission has no authority to mandate politicians, legislators, and parliamentarians to file their incomes and support.
