Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
Dean Peart, Minister of Local Government and Environment.Minister of Local Government and Environment, Dean Peart, has issued a strong warning to all Local Government authorities that he would be ensuring that there is accountability at every level.
Mr. Peart issued the warning while making his contribution to the 2006/2007 Sectoral Debate in Parliament on Wednesday.
"Mr. Speaker, when I speak about putting in place measures to ensure accountability and eliminate corruption, I am not confining this to just councils being in full compliance with the Government's procurement guidelines," he said.
He, however, noted that the councils should also monitor their finances. He said for the financial year 2005/06, the parish councils received approximately $5 billion, representing direct payments to them as well as payments on their behalf.
He said that, of this amount, $2.2 billion was paid directly to the councils from the Parochial Revenue Fund and the Consolidated Fund.
"Again, I would like to reiterate that the council must prioritise the programme each financial year and do continuous monitoring and assessment of the management of the financial resources ... You are accountable to the taxpayers," he said.
Making reference to the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and the Portmore Municipal Council, which have come under scrutiny recently by the Contractor General's Department, Mr. Peart said he had been having monthly meetings with the mayors to keep the lines of communication open.
He also disclosed that an interim report of an internal audit, carried out by his ministry at the St. Catherine Parish Council and St. Mary Parish Council, was also showing discrepancies.
"When I look at the St. Catherine report, I see cheques made out to one individual and another person signing for it, so this might be even a police matter," he said. "And you know, Mr. Speaker, I don't have a problem calling the police. I will deal with this one."
