While acknowledging it was “heartened” by the speed with which regulations for the nomination and selection of boards is now being guided through the legislative process, The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) today demanded that the Government build on this momentum by implementing critical legislative measures to address the ongoing crime epidemic impacting the nation.

The board nomination and selection regulations are scheduled to be taken through Parliament next week.

In a statement, Camille Facey, chair of the PSOJ’s Corporate Governance Committee said: “This is a significant win for governance.”

“The PSOJ and its private sector partners have been at the forefront of calling for the passage of these regulations.”

But in its call for action to be taken on crime, the PSOJ said it strongly urged the Government to table a number of pieces of legislation with the same degree of urgency, stressing that it would be grateful to see the Andrew Holness administration’s priority list for the new calendar year.

Among these legislation noted are:

• The Firearms Act
• The Bail Act
• Unexplained Wealth Act
• The Road Traffic Regulations
• Amendments to the Dangerous Drug Act
• Amendments to the Corrections Act

Said the PSOJ: “We maintain that the above pieces of legislation will ensure that consequences for lawlessness are in place and will present a significant deterrence to crime. The people of Jamaica deserve a consistent proactive approach by the Government to ensure that we address challenges plaguing our development.

“We implore the GOJ and all stakeholders to prioritise the urgent passage and implementation of the mentioned legislation as we work to reduce levels of corruption and create social transformation.”