Fitz-Henley calls Robinson's criticism of public sector travel ban misguided

State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Abka Fitz-Henley, has hit back at criticism levelled against the Government by Opposition Spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson over a ban on all official overseas travel across the public sector until March next year.

The directive, which was issued on Wednesday, October 21, by Cabinet Secretary Audrey Sewell to permanent secretaries, said the unprecedented destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa requires the highest degree of fiscal discipline and a shift towards national recovery.

As a result, all previously approved trips will be reviewed, and agencies are instructed to rely on virtual meetings instead.

“The Government must lead by example in demonstrating prudence, restraint and an unwavering commitment to directing scarce public resources towards the country's most urgent priorities,” the four-page document said.

Exceptions are limited to five categories: post-Melissa reconstruction and recovery, national security matters, standing bilateral and multilateral engagements, essential tourism promotions, and emergencies.

However, approvals for these exemptions are not automatic.

Robinson, in a statement today, questioned the motive behind the travel restriction, accusing the Government of using the ban as a tactical distraction from the widening controversy surrounding the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA).

He questioned whether the ban was “a genuine effort to control costs or simply a public relations exercise, coming immediately after millions of dollars were committed to the newly established NaRRA”.

“I think this ban raises more questions than answers as to whether this is really going to be an effective way to control costs,” said Robinson.

“It comes immediately after NaRRA, where we are seeing millions of dollars being spent on office space and on a structure that is top-heavy in terms of salaries. So I just wonder whether this is more performative, more from a public relations perspective,” he added.

Hitting back, Fitz-Henley called Robinson’s criticism shallow and misguided.

He asserted that it has long been the policy of the Government of Jamaica to, where possible, increase efficiency across the public sector, including at the level of the Executive, and properly manage the expenditure of public resources.

“The Prime Minister had a few years ago put in place a quota in terms of ministerial travel. This additional measure is a move to further concretise and expand the push for greater efficiency across Government,” he said in a statement on Friday.

“In fact, the moratorium on non-essential travel is the first of a series of steps which the Prime Minister will announce to achieve increased efficiency, along with quicker and more effective delivery of service to the people of Jamaica. The PNP’s [People’s National Party] assessment of the decision is superficial, shallow and misguided, but consistent with their modus operandi to attempt to disparage measures which are in Jamaica’s best interest,” Fitz-Henley added.

He charged that Jamaicans cannot be surprised that the PNP has sought to pour cold water on a decision which has been taken to move towards a more frugal use of resources, given the circumstances of multiple, frequently recurring crises which Jamaica has faced.

“The PNP has a sordid history of opposing measures which are in the interest of the people of Jamaica. They opposed states of public emergency which were saving hundreds of Jamaican lives, and they opposed the Rural School Bus System, which is delivering affordable and more accessible transportation for our children. Therefore, it is true to form that the PNP... would oppose a measure intended to treat with resources in a more efficient manner. The PNP’s vulgar and opportunistic approach to politics must be rejected,” Fitz-Henley asserted.

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