...- JLP gov't well behind in implementing proposed new or amended laws
August 30, 2009
A NUMBER of legislative commitments inked in the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) manifesto and verbalised on political platforms in the run-up to the 2007 general election are yet to materialise.
At the same time, some key proposals, which formed the central plank of the JLP's framework for good governance, have been introduced in Parliament, but the process to review and implement them is moving at a snail's pace.
In one of his first national broadcasts as prime minister, November 11, 2007, Bruce Golding said work was being fast-tracked on a number of the manifesto promises and appropriate legislation would be taken to Parliament "shortly".
However, two of the JLP's manifesto pledges that were heralded by Golding during the election campaign seem to have vanished from the radar.
In the election campaign, he gave assurances that if his party were elected, it would craft legislation to impose a two-term limit on anyone holding the office of prime minister, and establish a fixed-election period.
It is now nearly two years later, and the administration has failed to take legislation had to Parliament regarding term limits for prime ministers, or a fixed-election period.
For calendar year 2008, only two new pieces of legislation were passed by Parliament, with 16 existing laws amended.
The two new bills passed into law were the Pensions (Prime Minister) Act, 2008, and the Anti-Doping in Sport Act, 2008.
seven pieces of legislation
Up to July 2009, Parliament had passed seven pieces of legislation comprising two new measures, while the other bills amended existing laws....
Author: Edmond Campbell
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
