THE OFFICE of the Prime Minister yesterday slammed news reports intimating that Prime Minister P.J. Patterson had notched up an excessive overseas travel bill, arguing instead that he has saved the country thousands of dollars by employing several cost saving measures during visits abroad.
"It is also necessary that the Jamaican people understand that the Prime Minister's accommodation must meet the security requirements of the country that he is visiting," Sandra Graham, Mr. Patterson's press secretary pointed out yesterday.
Ms. Graham's statement to the press was in response to a report carried in The Sunday Gleaner this week, stating that Prime Minister Patterson spent $21 million in overseas travel over four years. The information was obtained through the Access to Information law.
WITHIN THE LIMITS
But yesterday the Prime Minister's press secretary defended her boss' travel bill, claiming that the hotel rates quoted were within the limits allowed and were not excessive. According to her "contrary to what was stated in the article, the rates that Mr. Patterson is allowed do not afford him the views of Central Park (in New York) and he has always opted to stay at hotels where the rates are modest and where his personal staff can also afford to be accommodated."
She disclosed that Mr. Patterson had, in fact, been receiving travel allowances based on rates set 16 years ago by the Edward Seaga administration. The press secretary said despite the escalation in prices and hotel rates Mr. Patterson "has not, during the period, obtained the full per diem to which he is entitled by virtue of the approved rates."
Ms. Graham also claimed the use of a private aircraft to transport the Prime Minister, the Foreign Affairs Minister, the security team and personal staff to Monterey, Mexico in January, 2004 "actually saved the Jamaican taxpayers over US$5,000, representing the cost of overnight en-route to and from Mexico."
She added that this also saved the Jamaican delegation four days of travel time to the summit where leaders in the hemisphere discussed matters relating to sustainable economic development and the reduction of poverty and hunger.
With respect to the visit to Cuba in 2003, Ms. Graham said the accommodation of the Prime Minister and his delegation in a villa resulted in savings because his support staff prepared meals for the entire group.
Travel rates
Government per diem rates for travel to North America, March 1, 1989.
Prime Minister - US$300
Finance Minister - US$250
Ministers - US$230
Permanent Secretary - US$200
