PRIME Minister Andrew Holness yesterday sought to reassure representatives of the Umbrella Group of Churches, the Private Sector Organisation, the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and National Integrity Action, following a letter from the group raising concerns on a range of governance matters.

In a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister that lasted approximately three hours, according to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister, Holness is said to have addressed all points raised in the letter in an “open, frank and inclusive manner”, on issues of public trust, corruption, accountability, and the governance framework.

The release said Holness reassured members of the group of his Administration’s commitment to decisively address corruption, noting that inefficiency breeds corruption, and pledged his continued commitment to strategically create an efficient and accountable Government.

He said the Government is also committed to rebuilding public trust.

The release said the prime minister noted that his Administration has ensured there is no interference with independent investigative bodies such as the Integrity Commission, the Auditor General’s Office and Major Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Agency (MOCA).

OPM said, going forward, all present agreed to: Do their part to ensure the administration of Government works efficiently, transparently and accountably; explore mechanisms for the private sector to deliver on their commitment to work to strengthen accountability within the private sector; collaborate to ensure relevant codes, regulations and laws in relation to public sector governance are implemented, enforced, compiled and published; continue training of public sector leaders including ministers, board chairman and board members; ensure that the investigative agencies (MOCA, Integrity Commission) are given adequate budgets.

The prime minister agreed to make public the terms of reference of the committee for strategic review of the operations of PetroJam and to share them with the Parliamentary Opposition prior to release.

The prime minister also committed the Government to make available online a compendium of laws, codes, and guidelines, the release said.

The groups committed themselves to support the Government’s efforts to create efficiency and reduce corruption in the public sector and to also support public education programmes on accountability.

“The meeting ended on a positive note, with renewed hope for timely action,” the release said.