Contractor General Greg Christie has come down hard on offending public agencies. - file

Almost 20 public entities are to be hauled before the courts for failure to comply with a requisition of the Office of the Contractor General (OCG).

The director of public prosecutions (DPP) has decided that 17 public bodies will be prosecuted for their failure to comply with a lawful requisition of the OCG.

In the letter, which was dated February 14, 2008, the DPP's office said the decision was made after its examination of files which were sent to it by Contractor General Greg Christie.

The files related to entities which failed to submit their 4Q 2006, 1Q 2007 and 2Q 2007 contract award reports within the prescribed time limits.

According to the contractor general, "These prosecutions will be the first which will be carried out by the DPP under Section 29 of the 1983 Contractor General Act."

The contractor general added that "the DPP's decision has confirmed our long-held view that public officers, public bodies and even private citizens who choose to ignore the lawful requisitions of the OCG, or who fail to meet the set deadlines for the submission of requested information, commit a criminal offence".

Under Section 29 of the 1983 Contractor General Act, "A person who, without lawful justification or excuse, fails to comply with a lawful requisition of a contractor general commits a criminal offence."

This is punishable upon sum-mary conviction by a fine not exceeding $5,000, or to imprison-ment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both.

Delinquent public bodies which the DPP has advised will be prosecuted are:

1.	Bellevue Hospital (two violations)
2.	Clarendon Parish Council
3.	Electricity Authority
4.	Electricity Division (MITEC)
5.	G.C. Foster College of Physical Education (two violations)
6.	Jamaica Business Development Centre
7.	Jamaica Racing Commission (two violations)
8.	Jamaica Railway Corporation (two violations)
9.	Ministry of Local Government & Environment

10.	National Works Agency (three violations)

11.	Portland Parish Council (two violations)
12.	Portmore Municipal Council

13.	Social Development Commission

14.	St Catherine Parish Council (two violations)

15.	St Elizabeth Parish Council
16.	St Thomas Parish Council

17.	Toll Authority of Jamaica (two violations)

They were among more than 180 public entities which were formally warned for prosecution in an October 30, 2006 OCG communication.