Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell on Wednesday blasted the government’s spending habits in a statement to the press, after a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
He said the committee is now to open an investigation as the government reportedly spent some $1.7 billion in the first six months of the fiscal year 2017/2018 – approximately $500 million more than in the same period in 2016/2017.
“The committee awaited word from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on the question of the deficit figures and from the Central Bank,” the statement read.
“The Central Bank responded, but the Finance Ministry claims that the committee has no jurisdiction to review the matter.”
Mitchell confirmed the Ministry of Finance will be summoned to the committee when it resumes April 24, for a hearing to clarify the position.
Additionally, he said, the committee has also asked for the Ministry of Education (MOE) to come and explain the contract for the building repairs to the Stephen Dillet Primary School.
According to Mitchell, MOE officials ignored the Committee’s request and a summons has been issued for the money.
Mitchell, Chester Cooper, Picewell Forbes and Reece Chipman were all said to be in attendance at the meeting.
