Building a Better Jamaica

published: Friday | May 30, 2008
Jamaica Gleaner

State minister in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Arthur Williams, said no Government is completely safe from the threat of drug-related corruption.

Speaking Wednesday at the European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean meeting on drug intelligence sharing at the Hilton Kingston hotel, Williams said that reality was the reason behind the current strengthening of the Jamaican anti-corruption laws.

"We are ready to take to Parliament a new Corruption Prevention Act with stronger powers and with a provision for the appointment of a special prosecutor to pursue relentlessly, those persons engaged in corrupt practices," he said.

Williams outlined that the Government was seeking to finalise proposals for provision to impeach officials, who engage in corruption or betray public trust. He also reminded the gathering Government has tabled a Green Paper on whistle-blower legislation, which, he said, would also be taken to Parliament soon.

This was the fifth staging of the Drug Intelligence Sharing Group of European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean meeting. Some 40 participants, from more than 10 countries, attended the conference.