Jamaica opposition leader wants committee to select new contractor general

(Jamaica Observer) HOPEWELL, Hanover — Opposition Leader Andrew Holness says he is in favour of the empanelling of a broad-based committee to choose a replacement for Contractor General Greg Christie, who is expected to demit office next month.

“To ensure that we do have a contractor general in which everybody can have faith, and believe in the integrity of the contractor general, we should have a process where a broad group of persons are called together to select that person to be contractor general, rather that have it done the way it is constitutionally required,” Holness said.

Under the constitution, the prime minister, after consultations with the Opposition leader, would make her recommendation to the governor general, who would then appoint the contractor general.

Holness was speaking Sunday at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Area Council 4 meeting at the Bethel Primary and Junior High School in Hanover.

He told the gathering that he has already given his commitment that he would use his office to ensure that whoever replaces Christie will be of the highest level of probity and will conduct himself in such a way to ensure that government expenditure is done in the most efficient way.

Last year, Christie indicated that he would not be renewing his contract which expires on November 30 of this year.

Christie was appointed contractor general on December 1, 2005.