Press Releases
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.
