Kingston, Jamaica. January 23, 2024: The People’s National Party Minority Councillors’ Caucus within the St. Ann Municipal Corporation is gravely concerned about a recent revelation of stark imbalances in the allocation of funds within the Corporation’s Special Grant Repairs Fund (SGR). This fund, designated for emergencies and special allocations towards road-related projects, has unveiled disparities that are raising serious questions about the integrity of the allocation process.

It has been uncovered that a programme sanctioned through the SGR has resulted in a significant discrepancy in the distribution of funds among councillors. Shockingly, eleven Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Councillors have reportedly been granted between $2.75 million to $3.7 million each for projects in their respective divisions, while a mere $1 million each was allocated to the five People’s National Party Councillors.

Minority Leader for the St. Ann Municipal Corporation, Councillor Winston Brown, vehemently condemns this blatant imbalance, describing it as a disrespectful affront to constituents in PNP-led divisions. “It is not just despicable; it is a blatant disregard for the people living in divisions led by PNP representatives, almost insinuating that they don’t matter,” Brown declared. He has raised pertinent questions about the basis on which such a decision was made, pointing out that it appears to be a strategic move with electoral implications.

Further inquiry by Councillor Brown has unveiled that specific directives concerning the allocation disparities originated from the Mayor of St. Ann Bay and the Chief Executive Officer of the SAMC, acting on the instruction of the Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie. This revelation by both the Mayor and CEO intensifies concerns about the transparency and fairness of the allocation process from the highest levels of authority and underscores potential implications for democratic principles governing municipal affairs.

In light of these findings, the PNP Minority Councillors are unequivocally demanding a rollback of the current allocations and a thorough re-evaluation to ensure an equitable distribution of funds. The Minority Councillors are urging the public to scrutinise this issue closely, emphasising the urgent need for fairness and transparency in municipal affairs. This development underscores the importance of upholding democratic values and ensuring that the allocation of public resources is conducted with the utmost integrity and fairness.

Kingston, Jamaica. January 22, 2024: Shadow Minister on Investment, Trade & Global Logistics, Anthony Hylton, CD, MP, is questioning the basis on which Jamaica’s request for suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) on Lithium-Ion Batteries for use in the renewable energy sector was denied by the CARICOM Council on Trade and Economic Development (COTED), at its November meeting. 

In a statement today, Mr. Hylton, said his concern is based on industry complaints that although Jamaican businesses had given due notice of their request for the suspension by ensuring the item was placed on the COTED agenda, an eleventh hour response in opposition by another member state at the meeting, was used as the basis for a denial of the request. The PNP spokesperson explained that “Every member state has the right to seek and obtain suspension of the CET on items imported from outside the CARICOM Region, unless another  CARICOM member state produces or can produce the item in sufficient  quantity, quality, and at the  price,  and  standard required by the CARICOM Rules.” 

Mr. Hylton continued “it is the practice that a request for suspension is not denied without prior evidence resulting from an investigation by the Secretariat technical staff that the CARICOM producer satisfies at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the product demand within CARICOM”.  

The Shadow Minister said the fact that this was not done prior to the denial of the suspension is, “highly irregular and should not have been allowed in the first place.” Mr. Hylton observed that, “any corrective action taken by the government now will not compensate these businesses for any losses suffered as a result of this irregular procedure.” 

He called on the government to act swiftly to remedy the situation affecting this important sub- sector.

Kingston, Jamaica. January 22, 2024: The Opposition is expressing concerns over the recent interdiction of an officer employed to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) who uncovered the breaches related to the property at 11 Charlemont Drive.

  Shadow Minister on Environment and Ecological Heritage, Senator Sophia Frazer Binns, says the reported interdiction of the officer without more, raises questions about potential repercussions for whistleblowers or those seeking to expose violations of our laws. She says this interdiction on the heels of the ruling by the DPP leads the public to question the  integrity of our environmental regulatory body.

 Without providing details of the circumstances around the interdiction of the officer, NEPA is confirming the view of many Jamaicans that “the  big man” is treated differently from “the little man”. This also cements the long held perception that there are two Jamaicas, one for the rich and connected and another for the poor.

 Senator Frazer Binns, while accepting that all the details cannot be shared at this time, believes that in light of the national attention this matter has received, NEPA must provide sufficient information to the public on the reason or reasons for Mr Henry’s  interdiction.

 The Shadow Minister asserted, “We need to understand the reasons behind the interdiction and ensure that it is not an attempt to undermine the commitment to environmental protection”. Further, Senator Frazer Binns added, “The public still has not been informed of the outcome of the meeting of the NRCA Board held last week”.

 The Opposition Senator is encouraging NEPA and the relevant authorities to prioritise the resolution of this matter with transparency. “It is imperative that we maintain trust in our environmental regulatory agencies and their ability to address violations promptly and impartially.”, she said.