MPs briefed on rules

By HELEN TARAWA
MEMBERS of Parliament have been told to declare businesses they are shareholders or directors in, and assets they own, to avoid any conflict of interest in their roles.
Ombudsman Commissioner Richard Pagen told new MPs during the start of their week-long induction yesterday that Section 7 of the Constitution required them to declare any business they owned.
He said the commission would consider whether to exempt an MP and allow him to remain a director, or advise him to transfer his directorship to a nominated person.
Pagan said this would be done only if the commission saw a conflict of interest with the company the MP was associated with.
“When you come to see us, we will advise you on whether or not to remain as a director of your company,” he said.
“Also, there are international companies coming in as a joint venture with your company. And they are carrying out investment in the area or activity of work that they want to do which is relating to the ministry that you hold. Then you will have to come to us and seek exemption.”
Pagan said Section 8, which talked about shareholding in a company, required that regardless of whether the company was an international or local one, everyone would have to seek exemption as a shareholder.
Pagen said Section 9 of the Constitution referred to payments received by an MP from a company.
“If you have a company engaging you to do some work, you will have to declare that to us,” he said.
“Section 6 and 10 come together. When you want to apply for a contract, the Ombudsman Commission would have to declare you to remain as a director or shareholder.
“If you have to bid in that project, then Section 10 allows for that exemption. And you can seek clearance from the Ombudsman Commission.”
Pagen said Section 27 of the Constitution requires that MPs declared their personal interest before presiding over a matter.
“You must declare before presiding over a matter because when you become the member, you will be chairman of the District Development Authority.
“Because of your position, you have to declare your interest if any matter or agenda that concerns your family or your spouses, your children, your associates.”
The Ombudsman Commission requires the MPs to declare all their assets. He said the assets meant all material goods they had.
“Even the companies that the MPs own are assets and they are required to submit to the Inland Revenue Commission the annual financial position.”