Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams, has assured the public that her Ministry is dedicated to addressing the backlog of unsubmitted appropriation accounts, following revelations of $3 trillion in unaccounted public spending over a six- to 11-year period.
The report, highlighted by the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP), flagged the Ministries of Education, Youth and Information; Health and Wellness; and Labour and Social Security as the primary offenders, with the education ministry alone accounting for $902 billion over nine years.
Other entities, including six municipal corporations, the Forestry Department, the Department of Correctional Services, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, were also cited for failing to account for billions in expenditures.
During a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (Dec. 11), Minister Williams emphasized that the funds have not gone missing but rather reflect delays in submitting appropriation accounts, which compare actual expenditures against Parliament-approved budgets.
“These accounts are critical to good governance and transparency,” the Minister said, noting that the Ministry is committed to allocating additional resources to help clear the backlog. “We will work with the Ministries involved to ensure the timely completion of these reports to the Auditor General’s standards.”
The Minister clarified that many of the outstanding accounts stem from fiscal years 2012/2013 to 2015/2016, creating challenges for subsequent administrations to address the accumulated backlog.
Minister Williams also sought to reassure Jamaicans about the mechanisms in place to ensure accountability in public spending. She detailed the budget process, which includes rigorous reviews by the Ministry of Finance and monthly reporting requirements from all Ministries. She explained that funds are disbursed through the Accountant General’s Department directly to contractors and service providers, ensuring traceability.
“I want to stress that while we must address the delays in reporting, there are robust safeguards in place for how taxpayers’ money is spent,” she said.
Funds not missing, says government
Minister of Education, Youth, Skills, and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, echoed Minister Williams’ assurances, dismissing claims of missing funds as misinformation.
“I’ve seen reports and social media campaigns claiming that funds are missing. This is simply not true,” Senator Morris Dixon said. “The issue lies in some ministries falling behind in submitting accounts in the required system for auditing.”
The findings from JAMP’s review have sparked calls for improved financial governance. Jeanette Calder, Executive Director of JAMP, described the $3 trillion shortfall as an accountability crisis, emphasizing the importance of transparent reporting.
Minister Williams acknowledged the gravity of the situation and underscored the government’s resolve to uphold good governance principles. “We are committed to ensuring that every Ministry and department fulfills its reporting obligations. This is essential for transparency and public trust,” she stated.
