• About
  • OSAR LIVE
  • Contact
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
OSAR
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Caribbean
  • International
  • Caribbean
  • International
No Result
View All Result
OSAR
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Jamaican gov’t faces more questions on cost of Kamina’s failed SG bid

admin by admin
August 10, 2022
in Politics
0
No secrecy around Commonwealth secretary general campaign, says Johnson Smith

Johnson Smith failed in her bid to become Commonwealth SG

0
SHARES
2
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

One civil society advocacy group is questioning the Government’s claims of transparency and accountability in the expenditure information which it furnished regarding public money spent on Kamina Johnson Smith’s failed campaign for Commonwealth secretary general, and the delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda, in July.

Executive director of Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP) Jeanette A Calder has argued that the information provided by the Government “does not meet the threshold of transparency for the public who have covered the costs for the campaign. Citizens want to know what additional and un-budgeted expenses did they have to fund to support Mrs Johnson-Smith bid for a job as commonwealth secretary general. Despite the pledge to provide same, there is no such information in the official release”.

READ ALSO

St Lucia PM Vows To Fire Any Corrupt Cabinet Minister

Commonwealth observer group encourages Antiguans and Barbudans to vote in general election

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday, Calder pointed out that on June 6, in a radio interview, the minister of information Robert Morgan had indicated that “there are costs that have been incurred separate from her duties as the foreign affairs minister”, and referencing a trip to Africa that was not about her regular duties said, “If she was going to be a successful candidate there was a need to engage with heads on the African continent.”

Calder said the minister also advised that the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) was also supporting Johnson Smith through the communications unit.

Calder said the prime minister’s release indicated that Minister Johnson Smith had made strategic use of the opportunities offered impending official engagements to carry out lobbying activities, but argued that, “if Jamaica is to be properly advised of what funds were spent on the campaign, the release cannot conflate those spent for planned ministerial duties. That is obfuscation”.

She contended that any “standard of accountability” would require that the Government disaggregate the $18.26 million it said was spent on Johnson Smith’s air and ground travel, meals and accommodation, to allow for adequate public scrutiny so that concerned citizens can be satisfied with how their taxes were spent, and if value was received.

“At a minimum, Jamaica turning 60 should mean more than transparency by edict,” Calder said.

In a release late Sunday, the OPM said Johnson Smith’s campaign was efficiently conducted and utilised the existing channels and resources, including already established travel plans and engagements. “This significantly minimised additional and direct expenditure from the budget for campaign,” said the release.

Just over $43.9 million was spent in total, including $18.2 million on activities around Johnson Smith’s candidacy, and $25.7 among the OPM, and the ministries of foreign affairs, and tourism, on delegation costs for attendance at CHOGM.

Earlier this week, Opposition spokesman on finance Julian Robinson insisted that Prime Minister Andrew Holness is still expected to answer the questions he, Robinson, tabled in Parliament several weeks ago, asking for specifics about spending on Johnson Smith’s campaign and the delegation to CHOGM.

SOURCE: JAMAICA OBSERVER 

Related Posts

Saint Lucia to remove service charge on price controlled goods
Politics

St Lucia PM Vows To Fire Any Corrupt Cabinet Minister

January 31, 2023
Commonwealth observer group encourages Antiguans and Barbudans to vote in general election
Politics

Commonwealth observer group encourages Antiguans and Barbudans to vote in general election

January 18, 2023
OSAR’s Friday news package
Politics

OSAR’s Wednesday news package

January 18, 2023
‘Take Your Licks Like A Man’ – SVG Government Urges Losers Of Democratic Elect
Politics

‘Take Your Licks Like A Man’ – SVG Government Urges Losers Of Democratic Elect

January 16, 2023
Fuel, electricity costs reduced in St Vincent and the Grenadines
Caribbean

St Lucia Opposistion: Why Won’t Pierre Pass On Fuel Savings To Saint Lucians?

January 11, 2023
Authorities in Brazil investigate pro-Bolsonaro rioters who stormed Congress, government buildings
Politics

Antigua & Barbuda PM Condemns Assault On Democracy In Brazil

January 11, 2023
Next Post
Trump says he’s testifying Wednesday in NY investigation

Trump says he’s testifying Wednesday in NY investigation

Please login to join discussion

POPULAR NEWS

Dominican shot execution-style in New York

Dominican shot execution-style in New York

March 31, 2022
“Why is my child?” – emotional mother of abducted child weeps

Statement by police on shooting death of Kian Alexander and search for Kernisha Etienne

June 19, 2022
Nightgown among items belonging to abducted child found in bushes

Nightgown among items belonging to abducted child found in bushes

June 9, 2022
Young Dominican journalist passes away

Young Dominican journalist passes away

May 25, 2022
Police in Dominica bring in trained dog and handler as search for abducted child continues

Police in Dominica bring in trained dog and handler as search for abducted child continues

June 9, 2022

EDITOR'S PICK

Small plane crashes on major road in Haiti killing six

Small plane crashes on major road in Haiti killing six

April 21, 2022
UN suspends Russia from human rights body: Here’s how the Caribbean voted

UN suspends Russia from human rights body: Here’s how the Caribbean voted

April 8, 2022
Local businesses to benefit from launch of Flow Business in Dominica

Local businesses to benefit from launch of Flow Business in Dominica

January 24, 2023
UK Privy Council upholds Trinidad and Tobago regulations to manage COVID-19

Trial begins in Jamaica for teen charged with sexual assault, murder of 9-year-old girl

June 22, 2022

About

OSAR Radio (Old Street Audacity Radio) is a 24/7 operation. Learn More.Learn More

Listen Live

Recent Posts

  • OSAR’s Monday news package
  • Suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down off South Carolina coast
  • Major earthquake in Turkey, Syria kills more than 1,300 people
  • OSAR’s Friday news package
  • Listen Live
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

© 2022 Osar - Site by G & D Enterprises Inc.

No Result
View All Result
  • Caribbean
  • International

© 2022 Osar - Site by G & D Enterprises Inc.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In