DESPITE OPERATING under what they described as challenging circumstances, top level administrative officers in both the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) have reported a combined debt cut of $72 million.
The officers, who were answering questions posed by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Audley Shaw regarding debt management on Tuesday, explained that they have had to prioritise to achieve the debt reduction.
COST-CUTTING MEASURES
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jevene Bent told the PAC that the JCF started the year with a $222 million deficit and has managed to cut that down to approximately $200 million.
"We have challenges month by month but again we have to prioritise," said DCP Bent.
"We started the year with a debt of $222 million that is now down to $200 million, we have not lost the confidence of our suppliers," she added.
The JCF is also exploring other areas to save money such as on the $100 million maintenance budget for its fleet of 1,180 vehicles.
Mr. Shaw suggested that one way to save on that maintenance bill was to ensure that vehicles in the JCF fleet serve for a maximum of three years. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Gilbert Scott explained that the idea was already being looked at.
A look at the coffers of the JDF also coughed up a debt cut of some $50 million said Captain Christopher Annamunthodo. Also highlighting that managing on limited funds was a tough job in the JDF, Captain Annamun-thodo said the army started the year with a $300 million deficit and had been able to reduce that to $250 million.
- L.B
