Shaw
Byron McDaniel, Gleaner Writer
WALDERSTON, Manchester:
OPPOSITION SPOKESMAN on Finance, Audley Shaw, has described as a 'great error' the Government's decision to reduce the budget of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), saying it was for the benefit of the poor and the children of Jamaica.
The First Supplementary Estimates 2003/04 indicates that the agency's capital allocation was slashed from $450 million to $140 million.
CEREMONY
Mr. Shaw, who is also Member of Parliament for North East Manchester, was speaking at a handing-over ceremony for the JSIF-refurbished Pike Basic School in his constituency .
The ceremony was attended by representatives of JSIF, the Social Development Commission, parents, students, teachers and the president of the Jamaica Teachers Association, Wentworth Gabbidon.
The MP said it was an important day for the area when the JSIF handed over not only the Pike Basic School, but also one at Bigwoods, as well as two kilometres of rehabilitated roadway.
The total invested was approximately $8 million.
"As chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament I have seen a lot of areas where there is waste and corruption and where the people do not benefit," said Mr. Shaw.
WITHIN BUDGET
The JSIF, the MP said, has undertaken six projects in the constituency alone and have not only done them within budget and on time, but also without a hint of corruption.
"The money is very well spent," he said.
Mr. Shaw assured function participants that when he speaks again in Parliament during the Budget Debate he will again be commending the JSIF for its work.
The MP was assisted by Marcia Edwards, JSIF board member, in cutting the ribbon to officially declare the school open.
Later in the afternoon Mr. Shaw performed similar duties at the newly equipped Bigwoods Basic School.
