The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is proud to be the first party in opposition to draft anti corruption legislation aimed at ensuring persons holding public offices in Grenada do not use their position for personal gratification.

Members of the opposition in the Lower House have already sent to the Clerk of Parliament two pieces of legislation for inclusion on the Order Paper - the Prevention of Corruption Act 2005 and the Integrity in Public Life Act 2005.

The two Bills are expected to be given their first reading during an upcoming sitting of the House of Representatives.

They will look into the conduct of Public officials such as Politicians, Police Officers, Director of Public Prosecution, and0 Public Servants among others.

Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, a person is considered to have committed an offence if he/she solicits or accepts whether directly or indirectly property or benefit financially or otherwise in the performance of his/her duty.

The Integrity in Public Life Act on the other hand makes provision for persons holding certain public offices to declare annually their income, assets and liabilities to an Integrity Commission.

Any one convicted of committing an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act will forfeit his/her rights to claim a pension to which he is entitled from the State.

The individual is also disqualified from holding any public office for a period not exceeding seven years from the date of conviction for the offence.

In the case of the Integrity in Public Life Act, an independent Integrity Commission is expected to conduct an investigation into allegations of worong-doing by public officials.

On completion they will present their findings to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who will determine the necessary course of action.

Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas, along with Member of Parliament for St. George's North-East Nazim Burke and Senator Arley Gill met with reporters last Wednesday to outline the reasons behind the NDC legislation.

Thomas said that corruption has become a threat to the rule of law in the country which is minimising on prosperity in the country.

He pointed out that the absence of such legislation has served to prevent investigations being carried out into several allegations of wrong-doings in Grenada.

He referred to the Eric Resteiner Briefcase Affair involving Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, the one million Finder's Fee for the Queen's Park National Stadium, and the awarding of contracts for government projects without the approval of the Tender's Board.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that the two pieces of legislation, sponsored by the congress party are of utmost importance since they address integrity and transparency in public life.

Sen. Gill who also spoke at the press conference said the Bills are necessary since they seek to promote good governance.

He stated that the reputation of Grenada has been badly tarnished over the last 10 years with allegations of corruption under the Mitchell government and as such the two pieces of legislation can help restore the island's good name.

According to Sen. Gill, the NDC hopes that the Bills will be read a first time during which the opposition will engage all sectors of the country in consultation to get their views on what changes should be made before they are made into law.

M.P for St. George's North-East, Nazim Burke told reporters that because legislation like these are not in place, some people holding public office feel that they can get away with any and everything.

He said he believes that if the government side in the House is against corruption then they can demonstrate this by giving support to the Bills when they come up for debate.