Public Officials Urged to Submit Statutory Declarations at Their Organisations

Public officials are being urged to submit their statutory declarations within their respective organisations.

Previously, they were required to file declarations at the Integrity Commission’s office in New Kingston.

However, the Commission has taken steps to decentralise the collection in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All parliamentarians, members of the security forces, and public officials who are in receipt of total emoluments (salary and allowances) of $3.5 million and above, and persons required by notice published in the Jamaica Gazette or requested in writing by the Commission, must file a statutory declaration. The deadline date is March 31, 2021.

Speaking on the JIS Television programme, ‘Get the Facts’, Manager of the Declarations Unit, Information and Complaints Division, Integrity Commission, Joeth Jones-Hall said that public officers should submit their statutory declarations at established collection points within their Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

She stated that persons should file their statutory declarations, as the Integrity Commission has implemented a Zero Tolerance Policy, noting that where a declarant is non-compliant, the declarant may be subjected to fines of up to $500,000 or to serve a term of imprisonment of up to six months.

The Integrity Commission has the latitude to require any person who is enlisted or appointed to a position in the public service to file a statutory declaration.

Additionally, where a public official was initially required to file a statutory declaration anytime between January 1 and December 31, 2020, an initial statutory declaration becomes due three months after the date of enlistment or appointment. All statutory declarations are due three months after the date of requirement.

Mrs. Jones-Hall said that public officials are required to declare their assets, liabilities and all sources of income.

Particulars of the individuals’ bank account, credit cards, loans and if there are any interest in any businesses, should also be declared.

Mrs. Jones-Hall added that similar information must be disclosed with respect to a Declarant’s spouse and children under 18 years.

“Whether or not you are a primary or secondary holder of an account you do need to disclose the information,” she added.

The information and instructions for filing statutory declarations, specimen forms and the correct fillable statutory declaration form, are available on the Integrity Commission’s website at www.integrity.gov.jm.