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Senator Munroe Wants Constitutional Reform Speeded Up

October 26, 2003

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Government Senator, Professor Trevor Munroe, has moved a Motion in the Senate calling on the Government, the Opposition and civil society to resume and speed up constitutional and political reforms, aimed at removing politicians from the contract awards system.
In addition, the Senator has called for a reduction in the dominance of the Executive, strengthening of the role of Parliament, and enhancing popular empowerment, thereby undermining political tribalism and deepening democratic governance in Jamaica.
Making reference to the recommendations of the national anti-crime plan of June 2002, in the Senate on Friday, October 24, Professor Munroe said some of these have not been implemented.
The Motion, which was put forward in the Senate on Friday, October 24, reads as follows:
“Whereas both the Manifestos for the October 2002 elections of the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) make commitments to ending political tribalism and building unity;
“Be it Resolved that this Honourable Senate congratulates the leadership of the Government and the Opposition on the historic agreement on educational reform and calls on this leadership and on civil society organizations to ensure a unified approach in identifying funding for the implementation of the agreed measures;
“Urges the Government, Opposition and civil society in the spirit of the education agreement, to deepen collaboration on the national anti-crime plan of June 2002 to ensure more urgent implementation of recommendations not yet put into effect, and calls on the Government, the Opposition and civil society to resume and speed up constitutional and political reform, aimed at removing politicians from the contract award system; reducing the dominance of the Executive; strengthening the role of Parliament; and enhancing popular empowerment, thereby undermining political tribalism and deepening democratic governance in Jamaica.”
Senator Munroe also filed a second Motion calling on the Senate to debate the Report of the Contactor General 2000.
The Motion reads:”Whereas there is considerable public concern that the award of contracts, the distribution of land and opportunities for employment should be free from partisan political influence and;
“Whereas the Constitution of Jamaica enshrines the freedom from discrimination on grounds of politics and;
“Whereas successive Governments have established institutions such as the Offices of the Contractor General, the Political Ombudsman and the Public Defender in part, to monitor and report the incidence of political partisanship in the award of scarce benefits;
“And whereas the Annual Reports of these bodies are invariably tabled but not debated in the Senate;
“Be it resolved that the Honourable Senate debates the contents of and expresses appreciation for the Report of the Contractor General 2000.”

Last Updated: October 26, 2003

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