CDF report sparks controversy

Erica Virtue, Senior Gleaner Writer

THE REPORT of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) tabled last week in the House of Representatives sparked controversy during Tuesday's sitting, as members of parliament (MP) rejected final figures of expenditure by the constituencies presented in the report.

Several MPs have expressed grave concerns about the accounting of their constituencies, as the figures do not accurately represent the expenditure.

Among the first to raise the matter was Hanover Eastern MP, Dr D.K. Duncan, who called for the House to debate the report which, he said, was filled with inaccuracies.

He argued that the $13,498,400 expenditure for his constituency was completely false.

"This figure here is already the subject of propaganda by that side (the government members) in the constituency," Duncan charged.

The report said that Duncan spent $3.5 million for human and social development; $1 million for economic enablement; $6,848,400 for physical infrastructure; 150,000 for Labour Day projects; and $1 million each for social housing and emergency and welfare.

The total sum expended is 67.49 per cent of the $20 million allotted to each MP under the fund, which replaced the Social and Economic Support Programme.

At least one other MP suggested that the unit did not approve more than $6 million in projects funding for his constituency, which was approved by the parliamentary committee.

St Catherine East Central MP Natalie Neita-Headley supported Duncan, and added that the committee's chair had requested more information from the CDF unit, seeking to clarify many of the inaccuracies presented.

The committee chair has, in the meantime, refused to discuss the matter, until he has the clarifications from the CDF unit based at the Office of the Prime Minister.

erica.virtue@gleanerjm.com