Coalition welcomes resignation, urges campaign finance reform

SEPTEMBER 20, 2013 | Kingston, Jamaica: COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS WELCOMES AZAN'S RESIGNATION,    CALLS FOR FURTHER ACTION FROM OUR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

We the several groups and individuals signed below have given consideration to the grave and urgent matters facing the nation.

1.      Undue delay in responding to the incriminating findings of the Contractor General's Report in relation to:-
                                      i.      M.P. Azan's conduct
                                   ii.       The circumstances, breaches and irregularities surrounding the identification of a preferred bidder for the 'Right to Supply 360 Megawatts of Power to the National Grid' and
2.      Parliament's failure to accept the Electoral Commission of  Jamaica's Recommendations on Campaign Finance Reform, tabled September 17, 2013 as per convention.

While we welcome the eventual resignation of Mr. Azan, we the undersigned call for the following urgent actions :-

§  At the next sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, the recommendations on Campaign Finance Reform be accepted and drafting instructions issued for legislation without further delay.
§  A national statement by Prime Minister Simpson-Miller in response to the OCG reports, giving a clear indication of the Government's intentions with respect to the recommendations as outlined in both reports of the Contractor General tabled in the House of Parliament on September 17, 2013.
§  The immediate release of the final bidders' evaluation report done by consultants, Mott MacDonald, in relation to the 360 megawatt project.

We the undersigned pledge to hold ourselves and our leaders to account for high standards of probity and accountability.

We signal to the wider society our commitment to remain vigilant and vocal and to work towards the short, medium and long term actions that will rescue Jamaica and fulfil the vision and promise of our MAP – the Motto, Anthem and Pledge.

Some members of Coalition:
Independent Jamaica Council for Human Rights (IJCHR)
Jamaica Environment Trust (JET)
Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN)
Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ)
National Integrity Action (NIA)
Women's Resource & Outreach Centre (WROC)
Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA)
Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ)
Jamaica Council of Churches
Joan Grant-Cummings
Horace Levy
Carol Narcisse
Jeanette Calder
Prof. Trevor Munroe
Dr. Peta-Anne Baker
Prof. Anthony Harriott
 
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