Dear Editor,

I would like to share my observations on the Jamaican Government and in particular the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service’s handling of the fiscal 2010/2011 budget expenditure.

From as far back as December 2009, I have recalled statements being made by the aforementioned that the government cannot find the money to pay outstanding wage claims. The statement was given more credibility when the government entered into a loan arrangement with the International Monetary Fund in early 2010, based on “strict” fiscal performance targets.

On October 27, 2010, I heard the Minister of Finance and the Public Service say on television, in no uncertain terms, that he will now have to further adjust the budget to accommodate an unplanned expenditure of $4 billion due to the forward-sale agreement on bauxite entered into by the previous government.

Mr Minister, can you answer the following questions: (1) Why is it that you cannot say to Alcoa that the government has “no money to pay” in the same tone and language, and citing the same fiscal constraints communicated to the teachers, nurses, police officers and other public sector groups? (2) Are the fiscal constraints self-imposed? (3) Are the constraints only applicable to hard-working Jamaicans and not to foreign investors?

I am and will always be a hard-working and honest civil servant.

Peter James

Pj_ranks@yahoo.com