MPs advised to disclose all personal business contracts

CHIEF Ombudsman Richard Pagen has advised Members of Parliament to disclose all personal business contracts.
He told them during an induction programme for the new MPs yesterday that the aim was to protect their integrity.
“The new form being developed will require every leader to disclose the associate in awarding of contracts,” he said.
“From this term of parliament (onwards), a new form will require all of you to disclose your business connections, transactions, particularly the incomes received by your company.
“All the contracts that you have, and you, as the chairman of District Development Authority will disclose to the Ombudsman Commission who you awarded the contracts to,” he said.
Pagen said some of the laws being passed involving resource companies such as Kumul Petroleum Holdings, Kumul Mineral Holdings and the Mineral Resources Development Authority, had not come under the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman Commission.
“Parliament makes specific mention that the positions in Kumul Petroleum Holdings will not come under the jurisdiction of Ombudsman Commission,” he said.
“Parliament made the law that the position of managing director of the Kumul Mineral Holdings will not come under the Ombudsman Commission’s leadership code.”
He said the law regarding the Mineral Resources Development Company this year was to remove the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman Commission.
“Is it the people’s parliament or are we making parliament for someone else?
“Are we making laws with the intention of having people at heart, and there is accountability and transparency?” Pagen said.
Pagen urged the MPs to maintain the integrity of their office.
“The positions you are holding now as Members of Parliament were created for the people.
“We have come into these elected offices with integrity that has to be preserved.
“We must not use our office for personal gain,” Pagen said.