The Office of the Integrity Commission on Saturday published the names of 74 public officers who have failed to declare their assets for the period July 01, 2018, to June 30, 2019.
The names were published in the Official Gazette of February 1, 2020.
Among those persons who have failed to do so as at January 24 are 20 former Members of Parliament led by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams.
Other former MPs include Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Karen Cummings and Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley among others.
Parliament was dissolved on December 30, 2019.
Others still to file declarations include Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Barton Scotland, Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs and Director of the Environment Department, Ndibi Schwiers.
According to the Integrity Commission Act, anyone who is a person in public life, except members of the Commission, is required to file a declaration every year on or before June 30th. If anyone ceases to be a public officer, they are required to file their declarations no later than 30 days from that date.
A declaration shall give full, true and complete particulars of the assets and liabilities and income during the 12-month period. According to the Act, it should still be stated if the assets are held in the name of another person. They are also required to include the same for their spouse and children “to the extent to which such person has knowledge of same.”
The Act further states that if a public official holds money or property in trust for another person, they shall so state but will not be required to disclose the terms of the trust.
A public officer can place his assets in a blind trust –a trust company to be managed without report to the person –and in this case, they only need to provide a description of the assets and the date it was put into the trust. The Commission can seek any further information if necessary.
See full list below:
