PAC mum on removal of OfReg chairman
(CNS): Public Accounts Committee Chair Ezzard Miller has said he is unable to confirm or deny reports that Speaker McKeeva Bush refused to allow PAC’s OfReg report on the House floor because it calls for the firing of Linford Pierson, the regulator’s board chairman. Miller told CNS that he could not comment on a post that appeared on Cayman Marl Road on Tuesday because of parliamentary rules.
The website claimed to have been told about the contents of the report, which has not been made public due to a decision by the speaker earlier this month preventing the document from being formally laid in the Legislative Assembly, as it was called then.
Miller challenged the speaker at the time, but he gave no specific reason for blocking the report, claiming that he had not had the chance to scrutinize it. The North Side MP knew that the speaker had no authority to prevent the report from being laid but had no way to address the issue at the time on the floor of the House, so he later sought a legal opinion from the attorney general, who confirmed that the speaker did not have the power to prevent its publication.
The report is expected to be on the business paper again at the sitting next month and will be made public, and at that point its contents will be revealed, Miller noted. He has previously stated, however, that the PAC report reflects what transpired during the public hearings this summer.
The PAC hearings took place in July and included an angry appearance by Pierson, in which he made false claims that PAC later struck from its official record. As a result, the expectation is that the report calls for some significant changes at the utilities regulator, where the costly failings have been well documented since its inception.
While not confirming the details, Miller said he was unable to comment on how the report or any of its content had been leaked. He noted, however, that the report was circulated within the Legislative Assembly, including staff, as it was placed on the order paper for the last sitting.
Cayman Marl Road does not state that it is in possession of the report, only that an “exclusive source” had provided the information that it calls for Pierson’s removal. While there is no indication that this has been verified, it is extremely likely, given what transpired during the hearings and PAC’s confirmation that the chairman had mislead the committee.
Category: Government oversight, Politics
The Cayman Islands Parliament seems to be going out of its way to demonstrate its reputation for corruption and opaqueness, absolving all our critics. What does it say about us, that the Premier, Governor, and Attorney General don’t observe and counter the calculated obstruction going on? Barely free of EU Blacklisting, would we now swap that for FATF censure from the international payments and settlements systems?
Now listen ya Ezzard, is this the way you’re going to govern if you take over the government in 2021? . Cast aside all fears of repression by that body of fake fraternal virtue which only is virtuous to itself and its members in Cayman.
You understand what the oath truly is, therefore do no stray and do the right thing fire or recommend firing whoever has usurped their power. It’s time that Ofreg and those hired do the job they are supposed to do and if they can’t let’s hire from outside with strong contractual terms to have caymanians trained even if it means sending abroad to garner qualifications and experience. Think long term people stop the slaughter now! It’s been going on too long.
Disgraceful that it is dealt with in such an underhand way, but anyone surprised.
Get rid of incompetent Pierson and have OfReg focus on highest BroadBand prices in the world and obscene profit margins of fuel providers. In the end the Premier must be held accountable for performance of OfReg.
To CNS: you might wish to correct: “the report, which has not been made public”
CNS: Ah… OK, got it. Thanks.
Wait. Irrelevant of the subject, I think it is hilarious that anybody takes CMR as a reliable source. FOXNews has hope then. 😂😂
Wait for it … eating your words must taste good!
Why can’t Miller release the report himself? If Mac was acting illegally when he suppressed it to protect Linford then just make it public now.
CNS: That would not be legal. The law states that the document must be made public by being tabled in the House.
No way any Caymanians are held responsible for their special brand of management. It’s part of the pirate code.
Going back to the July story, Pierson’s attacks on the OAG have interesting similarities to the rather lower profile punch up between the Deputy Governor and Dan Duguay over the 2009 Tempura audit. Seems the message here is if the OAG do a good job they’ll always tick off some senior public figure but isn’t that how it should be?
So, its Linford’s way or the highway?
or both
Lol
We need to rid ourselves of these old useless Icons now
Exactly. Because the infamous nature of Cayman’s reputation is not helped by the bent political class. Independence anyone? The islands will be a tinpot inside five years. They couldn’t run a corner garage honestly. Did you know for instance, the British Prime Minister running an advanced G7 economy and protecting 65 million people is on $20,000 less than an MLA now MP here? Yet they have about a 1000 constituents each. They’re a joke. The constituents should have a referendum on reducing their pay by half – at least.
Sick comparison @ 6:01pm
You look only at ONE figure. Go figure.
You would do your argument good, if you also include the add-ons for both sides.
Numbnut statistician you are😂
Huh?
And you fail to look at the casino expense accounts the jobs for relatives and corrupt back-handers
12.28pm As far as the public is concerned I would deem it highway robbery.
So where would one Lodge a complaint?
LOL!! Brilliant and oh so slightly subtle.
And OH SO TRUE
Between a rock and a Lodgeplace
The LA is a public forum, it’s not a private caucus meeting.
Typical of what always happens around here.
Lodge members protecting Lodge members.
Become a Lodge member, that will sort that out
My dominant ethics gene won’t let me