The Justice Sector Reform Programme is likely to wrap up at the end of March this year, following some hiccups which postponed its completion date, Attorney General Charles Ramson said yesterday.
Budgetary allocations were made this year for the programme because it has been extended, he explained yesterday in the National Assembly’s Committee of Supply.
PNCR-1G MP Clarissa Riehl queried why money was set aside in 2011 for a programme which was listed to end by December 2010 and Ramson pointed out that there were hiccups prior to him “coming on board.”
But the Ministry of Legal Affairs still had an opportunity to accelerate some matters, he said, while adding that the likely deadline is now looking like March this year. “You will appreciate that we have… provided to this National Assembly adequate and concrete proof that works have been done,” he said of the project.
Riehl also called on the Legal Affairs Minister to elaborate what was meant by strengthening the capacity of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) as outlined and budgeted for this year. Ramson explained that plans are in the works to make changes with respect to the secretariat of the JSC and he noted that this was proposed by the Inter-American Development Bank, which is also funding the reform project. He stated that before any decision is made on a change, some preparatory works are being carried out.
Based on a question posed by Riehl, he also stated that there are currently 12 sitting magistrates, five of whom are contracted employees. The disclosure triggered a few more questions on the issue from Riehl and her colleague PNCR-1G MP Deborah Backer.
Ramson, seemingly weary of the questions, replied, “The budget is aimed at meeting the likely cost of persons who are currently employed and if there is any shortfall in the full complement that will be addressed as the occasion demands. Maybe by the time we get back here next year 25 will be appointed so as to ease the backlog,” he added.
But a question pertaining to a budgetary provision for a vehicle seemed to rattle him. Riehl asked who was getting the vehicle and Ramson replied, “That is a very simple question.” He continued: “We did not acquire a vehicle since my return to the office. It would not be for me. It belongs to the ministry. I have several cars of my own… but it is only appropriate that the minister is given appropriate transportation. He is not to go on a donkey cart.”
Still on the vehicle, Ramson charged that it is a second-hand vehicle, which is to be purchased at the cost of $3 million. “I am not accustomed to second-hand vehicles!” he said. By this time, the National Assembly was in uproar as members on both the government and opposition benches erupted in laughter.
While responding to a question on contracted workers under the Supreme Court, Ramson lashed out at its Chief Executive Officer and charged that she was clearly not interested in the work of the court given her absence. The CEO of the Supreme Court is the acting Registrar Bibi Ali.
On the question of security, PNCR-1G MP Deborah Backer asked about a specific allocation of $3 million regarding the Permanent Secretary and Ramson provided this response: “When I speak of the PS [security] I speak only of his residence. He doesn’t live at the ministry…the only security [there] concerns me. I am the man in charge of that place, I am entitled to security there and where I live and they should be walking around with me.”
Again, some members of the House broke into laughter.
