The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is accusing the government of engaging in a political propaganda and is demanding that it publish a breakdown of how the $600 million to $700 million allocated each month for parochial road repairs and maintenance is distributed among the country’s municipal corporations.
Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government and Participatory Democracy, Natalie Neita Garvey, argues that the total monthly allocation available to the municipal corporations does not support a claim by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, regarding the level of funding.
Mrs. Neita Garvey disclosed that the average monthly subvention paid over to all municipal corporations is about $473 million, with the Kingston and St. Andrew municipality receiving the largest share at approximately $85 million.
She said that the Hanover Municipal Corporation receives the smallest allocation at approximately $13 million.
“The figures presented to the Jamaican people have been inflated, combining funding streams that are either restricted or simply unavailable for routine road maintenance. This is not merely an accounting issue. This is political propaganda. It is also about correct information to the people of Jamaica. It’s about accountability and credibility. Councillors, both PNP and JLP, have been broadbrushed as if they can do more because they are receiving adequate funds,” she argued.
Mrs. Neita Garvey said no amount of political rhetoric can change the facts.
“Show the Jamaican people exactly what is allocated. Show what is disbursed. Show what requires ministerial approval and has been languishing. Show what municipal corporations are genuinely free to spend. Show the people of Jamaica what and where Equalisation Funds are being spent. Transparency should not be feared. Our purpose today is not simply to expose inaccurate claims, but to advocate for the people of Jamaica, for every resident who drives on deteriorating roads, every farmer struggling to bring out their produce, every parent taking children to school on roads that cause them to pay extra taxi fare,” she contended.