John Myers Jr., Staff ReporterTHE MINISTRY of Finance is reportedly examining the possibility of absorbing the more than half-a-billion dollars owed by the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) in statutory deductions.
On Tuesday Superintendent Neil Findlay, sub-officer in charge of administration at the Fire Brigade, indicated that discussions were taking place between the ministries of Local Government and Finance to decide on a suitable method to clearing the $551 million owed by the JFB in statutory deductions.
INSTRUCTIONS
"Instructions were given for the current (statutory deductions) to be paid... but the outstanding amount had been taken over by the Ministry (of Local Government)," Findlay said.
Loraine Robinson, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government told The Gleaner that she was "in consultations with the Ministry of Finance trying to see exactly what I am supposed to be doing." She said there was no official word as to what will be done to clear the outstanding sum. She said she was told by the Fire Brigade that the Finance Ministry was looking at how to have the debt written-off. "We have to find a way to work it out because we cannot leave it on the books like that," Ms Robinson said.
The permanent secretary said further she was in the process of gathering all the relevant records to determine the standing of the Ministry and all related agencies. Ms. Robinson assumed the position of permanent secretary at the Local Government Ministry three months ago. When the Ministry of Finance was contacted to confirm the matter, Cordel Braham, the information officer, said the Ministry would not be commenting at this time.
SALARIES
Ms Robinson revealed that the Ministry of Finance was currently investigating whether the Fire Brigade was properly funded for (payment of) salaries."
Major George Benson, head of the Fire Brigade, has on more than one occasion told Parliaments's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that "the money from the (Ministry of Finance) is not enough to pay salaries. Salaries are sometimes paid in three parts." However, Superintendent Findlay said there are no problems at the moment with regard to the payment of salaries. He said the staff was paid on time.
In explaining to the PAC the reason for not paying over statutory deductions to the relevant agencies, Major Benson said: "The money (allocated) is not enough to pay over the statutory deductions and do other things. Trucks have to run, gas has to be in the engines, tyres have to be bought. It's a vicious game."
In the meantime, Superintendent Findlay said the Fire Brigade is currently in the process of submitting to the Finance Ministry a report on the present conditions of all its vehicles, buildings and equipment. He said this should be completed by next week.
