New Contractor General named in Jamaica

(Jamaica Gleaner) King’s House has confirmed that Government prosecutor Dirk Harrison is the next contractor general.

Harrison, a Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions will take up the new position on March 1.

In November last year, The Gleaner reported that Harrison would be the successor to Greg Christie who opted not to have his contract renewed.

Deputy Contractor General Craig Beresford has been acting as Contractor General since December 1, 2012.

“I am humbled,” Harrison told The Gleaner a short while ago in reacting to his appointment.

The DPP Paula Llewellyn congratulated him.

“He is a very accomplished professional; very, very committed to public service and is an extremely hard worker,” she said.

Under Section 10 of the Contractor General’s Act, the Governor-General after consultations with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition may appoint someone whom he believes is fit and qualified to serve as Contractor General.

King’s House says the Governor-General engaged a process which resulted in the selection of a short list of three candidates, both local and International.

It says two sets of interviews were conducted with the applicants, the first of which was done by members of the Public Service Commission under its chairman, Justice Lensley Wolfe.

According to King’s House, in both interviews and in a behaviour competency diagnostic evaluation, Harrison emerged the top contender for the position.

It further said, this was ratified by the Governor-General after consultation with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and the Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness.