CATEGORY:POLITICS --------------------- INSIDE GRENADA MONDAY September 3,2007 (Editor's note: The following article represents the views/opinions of the New National Party and not necessarily those of Grenadian Connection). Bills Passed in the House of Parliament: This Government continues to deliver on the promise of good governance. As it relates to contracts, Government is demonstrating its commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability when business is conducted with contractors and suppliers. With the creation of rules of engagement it also demonstrates that Government will get value for its money on the basis of results. In providing the framework for our ongoing development Government passed the requisite Bills: (1)Public Procurement and contract Administration Act: An Act to provide for the general requirements in relation to procurement, to establish the Public Procurement Authority to regulate and harmonise public procurement processes in the Public Service, to promote economic development, including capacity building in the field of public procurement by ensuring value for money in public expenditures and the participation in public procurement by qualified suppliers, contractors, consultants and other qualified providers of goods, works and services and to provide for other related matters. The main function of the Authority is to provide for increased public confidence as well as regulate and monitor public procurement in Grenada and to advise the Government on issues relating to such. It is to provide safeguards for the maintenance of a procurement system of quality, integrity and transparency. (2)Audit Bill: The purpose of this Bill is to reform the law relating to the Office of the Director of Audit and to provide for matters related or incidental thereto. The Director of Audit shall follow the international audit standards issued by the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions with such modifications or additions as are necessary to comply with this Act and to meet the circumstances of Grenada. The general responsibility is to examine accounts of Government. The Director of Audit shall be the auditor of all the accounts of the Government and as such shall make such examination and inquiries as he or she considers necessary to enable him or her to report as required pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution and this Act. A feature responsibility is to examine Public Accounts annually and submit annual report to the House of Representatives through the Minister. It must be noted that it takes a Cabinet committed to accountability and with nothing to hide to pass an Audit Bill. This is to assure the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique that every penny that Government spends will be accounted for by local and international standards. (3)The National Reconstruction Levy (Amendment) Bill: This Bill seeks to amend the National Reconstruction Levy Act, by exempting an individual from the deduction of Sixty thousand dollars ($60,000.00) allowed for an individual in ascertaining the chargeable income allowed by the Income Tax Act. This tax was generally introduced by Government after hurricanes Ivan and Emily to demonstrate to the international community that Grenadians were committed to their country’s rebuilding programme. (4)Ombudsman Bill: This Bill applies to all public authorities in Grenada, save and except the Royal Grenada Police Force. It provides for the appointment of the Ombudsman by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. This Act provides for the appointment of an Ombudsman with power to investigate the administrative actions taken by or on behalf of the Government and other authorities, and for he purposes connected therewith. The basic function is to investigate any administrative action of a public authority for the purpose of deciding whether there is evidence of Mal-administration on the part of the public authority; or whether any person or body of persons has or may have sustained injustice, injury or abuse as a result of any action taken by public authority or an Officer or a member of such public authority. The Ombudsman Bill demonstrates accountability which is a critical measure at the political level as well as with the undertakings of public officers. This will provide Grenadians with a place to take issues and complaints where they can be dealt with appropriately. Where it is strategically expedient for NDC to pull the wool over the eyes of the vulnerable segment of our population, we are to do the right thing in setting the record straight. It must always be noted that we are dealing with an element steeped in propaganda and trained in creating discord – better known as the “Wrecking Crew.” The People of Grenada has been the greatest source of inspiration for this Government and have determined the direction that this New National Party administration has pursued. Every accomplishment engineered by Government is credited to the Grenadian People for the progress we have achieved in realizing our vision for a peaceful, healthy, educated, productive and prosperous Nation. We uphold the responsibility of empowering and enlightening the Masses as we fully engage our commitment to betterment, in spite of the vile, malicious personal attacks orchestrated by a misdirected and desperate Opposition Party. Re-printed from nnpnews.com