CABINET Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, has dismissed statements made by former President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on the amendment of the Integrity Commission Act.

Jagdeo has indicated that his party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), would reject the proposed amendment to the Integrity Commission Act.

“We will oppose this amendment, because this amendment is another tool to [make it] seem as though they are doing something about a code of conduct for ministers, to seem as though they are pursuing transparent, accountable lives, but, on the other hand, they are setting the basis for further witch-hunt and to come after PPP members,” Jagdeo stated.

However, Harmon in response said Jagdeo needs to spend time reading and understanding the intent of the Act.

“… the opposition leader should take the time to read the Act and amendments and code of conduct attached to it [and] I believe he would come to a different conclusion,” Harmon said on Friday, while noting that the amendment of the Integrity Commission Act will give it teeth.

Harmon during his weekly post-cabinet press briefing told reporters that the Integrity Commission Act, which makes provision for the establishment of an Integrity Commission, orders that public officers disclose their financial assets and liabilities on or before June 30, each year.

The Act became law in 1997 and provides for the formation of the Integrity Commission and makes provisions for the purpose of securing the integrity of persons in public life.

“The first had to do with the enforceability of the decisions of the Integrity Commission; the Act itself lacks the capacity to be able to enforce things and so what it does, it requires the Integrity Commission to lay a report to the President,” he explained.

Harmon continued: “What we are trying to do is ensure that the Act covers a code of conduct for Ministers and Members of Parliament and it also gives it some amount of teeth in the enforcement.”

He said the Act denudes some of the power which requires the commission to lay a report to the President. “This makes the Integrity Commission a stronger body.”