Bill to subsume Office of Political Ombudsman into ECJ passed in Parliament

The bill to subsume the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), was passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, but not before parliament descended into chaos.

Last week, the debate was put on hold, after opposition members raised objection to the bill brought by Justice Minster Delroy Chuck.

Today, Mr. Chuck returned with the same bill, intent on having it go through committee stage, and voted on.

He argued that the recommendation to have the ECJ take on the duties of the Ombudsman had already been agreed to by the opposition, citing a letter from Senator Peter Bunting.

But, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed out that what Senator Bunting agreed to was for the ECJ to take on a cost saving, administrative function, not to make the 9 member commission, the Ombudsman.

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke interjected, pointing out that Mr. Golding’s position is wrong, because the recommendation was broader and not only about cost saving.

In response, Mr. Golding noted that there are alternative options for the Ombudsman Office, that the government has not considered.

He remained steadfast in the view, that what the government is seeking to do, is flawed, and that the opposition will not support bad policy.

Mr. Chuck then pointed out that the ECJ considered alternatives and the 9 member Commission Ombudsman, was thought to be the better option.

Read More

PNP calls for JLP’s Dean Jones to removed as candidate in upcoming election following viral video

The bill to subsume the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), was passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, but not before parliament descended into chaos.

Last week, the debate was put on hold, after opposition members raised objection to the bill brought by Justice Minster Delroy Chuck.

Today, Mr. Chuck returned with the same bill, intent on having it go through committee stage, and voted on.

He argued that the recommendation to have the ECJ take on the duties of the Ombudsman had already been agreed to by the opposition, citing a letter from Senator Peter Bunting.

But, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed out that what Senator Bunting agreed to was for the ECJ to take on a cost saving, administrative function, not to make the 9 member commission, the Ombudsman.

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke interjected, pointing out that Mr. Golding’s position is wrong, because the recommendation was broader and not only about cost saving.

In response, Mr. Golding noted that there are alternative options for the Ombudsman Office, that the government has not considered.

He remained steadfast in the view, that what the government is seeking to do, is flawed, and that the opposition will not support bad policy.

Mr. Chuck then pointed out that the ECJ considered alternatives and the 9 member Commission Ombudsman, was thought to be the better option.

Read More

JLP opposes what it calls attempts by PNP to undermine democratic process ahead of election

The bill to subsume the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), was passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, but not before parliament descended into chaos.

Last week, the debate was put on hold, after opposition members raised objection to the bill brought by Justice Minster Delroy Chuck.

Today, Mr. Chuck returned with the same bill, intent on having it go through committee stage, and voted on.

He argued that the recommendation to have the ECJ take on the duties of the Ombudsman had already been agreed to by the opposition, citing a letter from Senator Peter Bunting.

But, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed out that what Senator Bunting agreed to was for the ECJ to take on a cost saving, administrative function, not to make the 9 member commission, the Ombudsman.

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke interjected, pointing out that Mr. Golding’s position is wrong, because the recommendation was broader and not only about cost saving.

In response, Mr. Golding noted that there are alternative options for the Ombudsman Office, that the government has not considered.

He remained steadfast in the view, that what the government is seeking to do, is flawed, and that the opposition will not support bad policy.

Mr. Chuck then pointed out that the ECJ considered alternatives and the 9 member Commission Ombudsman, was thought to be the better option.

Read More

Major flooding leaves trail of damage on North Coast

The bill to subsume the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), was passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, but not before parliament descended into chaos.

Last week, the debate was put on hold, after opposition members raised objection to the bill brought by Justice Minster Delroy Chuck.

Today, Mr. Chuck returned with the same bill, intent on having it go through committee stage, and voted on.

He argued that the recommendation to have the ECJ take on the duties of the Ombudsman had already been agreed to by the opposition, citing a letter from Senator Peter Bunting.

But, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed out that what Senator Bunting agreed to was for the ECJ to take on a cost saving, administrative function, not to make the 9 member commission, the Ombudsman.

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke interjected, pointing out that Mr. Golding’s position is wrong, because the recommendation was broader and not only about cost saving.

In response, Mr. Golding noted that there are alternative options for the Ombudsman Office, that the government has not considered.

He remained steadfast in the view, that what the government is seeking to do, is flawed, and that the opposition will not support bad policy.

Mr. Chuck then pointed out that the ECJ considered alternatives and the 9 member Commission Ombudsman, was thought to be the better option.

Read More

JCF says Criminal Investigations Branch is reaping success in murder investigations

The bill to subsume the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), was passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, but not before parliament descended into chaos.

Last week, the debate was put on hold, after opposition members raised objection to the bill brought by Justice Minster Delroy Chuck.

Today, Mr. Chuck returned with the same bill, intent on having it go through committee stage, and voted on.

He argued that the recommendation to have the ECJ take on the duties of the Ombudsman had already been agreed to by the opposition, citing a letter from Senator Peter Bunting.

But, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed out that what Senator Bunting agreed to was for the ECJ to take on a cost saving, administrative function, not to make the 9 member commission, the Ombudsman.

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke interjected, pointing out that Mr. Golding’s position is wrong, because the recommendation was broader and not only about cost saving.

In response, Mr. Golding noted that there are alternative options for the Ombudsman Office, that the government has not considered.

He remained steadfast in the view, that what the government is seeking to do, is flawed, and that the opposition will not support bad policy.

Mr. Chuck then pointed out that the ECJ considered alternatives and the 9 member Commission Ombudsman, was thought to be the better option.

Read More

St. Thomas police investigating fight involving JLP and PNP supporters

The bill to subsume the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), was passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, but not before parliament descended into chaos.

Last week, the debate was put on hold, after opposition members raised objection to the bill brought by Justice Minster Delroy Chuck.

Today, Mr. Chuck returned with the same bill, intent on having it go through committee stage, and voted on.

He argued that the recommendation to have the ECJ take on the duties of the Ombudsman had already been agreed to by the opposition, citing a letter from Senator Peter Bunting.

But, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed out that what Senator Bunting agreed to was for the ECJ to take on a cost saving, administrative function, not to make the 9 member commission, the Ombudsman.

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke interjected, pointing out that Mr. Golding’s position is wrong, because the recommendation was broader and not only about cost saving.

In response, Mr. Golding noted that there are alternative options for the Ombudsman Office, that the government has not considered.

He remained steadfast in the view, that what the government is seeking to do, is flawed, and that the opposition will not support bad policy.

Mr. Chuck then pointed out that the ECJ considered alternatives and the 9 member Commission Ombudsman, was thought to be the better option.

Read More

Residents of Greater Portmore protest foul odour emanating from a sewage plant in the community

The bill to subsume the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), was passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, but not before parliament descended into chaos.

Last week, the debate was put on hold, after opposition members raised objection to the bill brought by Justice Minster Delroy Chuck.

Today, Mr. Chuck returned with the same bill, intent on having it go through committee stage, and voted on.

He argued that the recommendation to have the ECJ take on the duties of the Ombudsman had already been agreed to by the opposition, citing a letter from Senator Peter Bunting.

But, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed out that what Senator Bunting agreed to was for the ECJ to take on a cost saving, administrative function, not to make the 9 member commission, the Ombudsman.

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke interjected, pointing out that Mr. Golding’s position is wrong, because the recommendation was broader and not only about cost saving.

In response, Mr. Golding noted that there are alternative options for the Ombudsman Office, that the government has not considered.

He remained steadfast in the view, that what the government is seeking to do, is flawed, and that the opposition will not support bad policy.

Mr. Chuck then pointed out that the ECJ considered alternatives and the 9 member Commission Ombudsman, was thought to be the better option.

Read More

Sections of the island impacted by gale force winds associated with a cold front, last evening

The bill to subsume the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), was passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, but not before parliament descended into chaos.

Last week, the debate was put on hold, after opposition members raised objection to the bill brought by Justice Minster Delroy Chuck.

Today, Mr. Chuck returned with the same bill, intent on having it go through committee stage, and voted on.

He argued that the recommendation to have the ECJ take on the duties of the Ombudsman had already been agreed to by the opposition, citing a letter from Senator Peter Bunting.

But, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed out that what Senator Bunting agreed to was for the ECJ to take on a cost saving, administrative function, not to make the 9 member commission, the Ombudsman.

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke interjected, pointing out that Mr. Golding’s position is wrong, because the recommendation was broader and not only about cost saving.

In response, Mr. Golding noted that there are alternative options for the Ombudsman Office, that the government has not considered.

He remained steadfast in the view, that what the government is seeking to do, is flawed, and that the opposition will not support bad policy.

Mr. Chuck then pointed out that the ECJ considered alternatives and the 9 member Commission Ombudsman, was thought to be the better option.

Read More

Old Harbour Bay under special police watch, ahead of local government election

The bill to subsume the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), was passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, but not before parliament descended into chaos.

Last week, the debate was put on hold, after opposition members raised objection to the bill brought by Justice Minster Delroy Chuck.

Today, Mr. Chuck returned with the same bill, intent on having it go through committee stage, and voted on.

He argued that the recommendation to have the ECJ take on the duties of the Ombudsman had already been agreed to by the opposition, citing a letter from Senator Peter Bunting.

But, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed out that what Senator Bunting agreed to was for the ECJ to take on a cost saving, administrative function, not to make the 9 member commission, the Ombudsman.

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke interjected, pointing out that Mr. Golding’s position is wrong, because the recommendation was broader and not only about cost saving.

In response, Mr. Golding noted that there are alternative options for the Ombudsman Office, that the government has not considered.

He remained steadfast in the view, that what the government is seeking to do, is flawed, and that the opposition will not support bad policy.

Mr. Chuck then pointed out that the ECJ considered alternatives and the 9 member Commission Ombudsman, was thought to be the better option.

Read More

Opposition calls on gov’t to postpone today’s opening of a section of the Southern Coastal Highway

The bill to subsume the Office of the Political Ombudsman into the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), was passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, but not before parliament descended into chaos.

Last week, the debate was put on hold, after opposition members raised objection to the bill brought by Justice Minster Delroy Chuck.

Today, Mr. Chuck returned with the same bill, intent on having it go through committee stage, and voted on.

He argued that the recommendation to have the ECJ take on the duties of the Ombudsman had already been agreed to by the opposition, citing a letter from Senator Peter Bunting.

But, Opposition Leader Mark Golding pointed out that what Senator Bunting agreed to was for the ECJ to take on a cost saving, administrative function, not to make the 9 member commission, the Ombudsman.

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke interjected, pointing out that Mr. Golding’s position is wrong, because the recommendation was broader and not only about cost saving.

In response, Mr. Golding noted that there are alternative options for the Ombudsman Office, that the government has not considered.

He remained steadfast in the view, that what the government is seeking to do, is flawed, and that the opposition will not support bad policy.

Mr. Chuck then pointed out that the ECJ considered alternatives and the 9 member Commission Ombudsman, was thought to be the better option.

Read More