KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition spokesman on Finance, Planning, Growth and Economic Development, Audley Shaw says the government’s releasing of information on talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by “drip feed” is not helping to rebuild confidence.

“The minister (of finance and planning) is giving us information on the discussions by drip feed: one drip at a time,” Shaw told the Jamaica Observer Monday night in response to the Government’s press briefing on the IMF discussions held earlier at Jamaica House.

“He has just given us a few more drops of information, because we are still short on specifics,” Shaw said, noting that a few weeks earlier the minister, Dr Peter Phillips, had announced the need for “prior action” required prior to an agreement.

“He told us today about wage restraint, taxes and waivers, but he hasn’t indicated what are the details of the prior action? What are the specifics of this prior action? What must be implemented and by what date, so that we can have an idea when to expect an agreement?” the former minister told the Jamaica Observer.

He said that, until the government provides Jamaicans with enough information to rebuild confidence in the economy, the country and the economy will continue drifting.