The Federal Cabinet Members and H.E. Ambassador Kenneth Douglas walked together to the Delisle Walwyn & Co. Ltd building on Liverpool Row in Basseterre, St. Kitts, where the Office of the Integrity Commission is situated, following the Cabinet Meeting on Monday, July 31, 2023, to make their declaration to the Commission in accordance with the new Integrity in Public Life Act, which was approved by the Federal Parliament on February 22, 2023.
According to the information provided in the Integrity in Public Life Guidelines, anybody who was appointed to public office before April 22, 2023, must submit their initial declaration to the Integrity Commission by Monday, July 31, 2023, at the latest.
In addition, within 100 days of taking office, everyone appointed as a public official on or after April 22 of any given year must file an initial declaration.
Additionally, a public official must submit new disclosures on or before April 30 for each subsequent calendar year that they remain in their position.
After someone has ceased to be a public official, other than by reason of death, the declaration of a public official must continue to be filed for a period of two successive calendar years.
For the purposes of the Act, those public officials are defined by the Integrity in Public Life Act. Executive officers, statutory corporations, government interest corporations, statutory bodies, and members of parliament are all examples of public officials.
The Integrity in Public Life Act aims to reinforce the Federation’s commitment to openness and accountability in government.
The Right Honorable Dr. Denzil Douglas, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs et al, and Ambassador Leon Natta-Nelson are now on national duty and are anticipated to make their declarations once they return to the Federation.
