KINGSTON, Jamaica – The House of Representatives is expected to resolve the issue of allowances paid to the CEO of the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC) when it meets at Gordon House this afternoon (Tuesday).

The issue arose with the tabling of a Ministry Paper in the House of Representatives last November, on the AIC’s performance in 2014/15.

The ministry paper, tabled by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Derrick Kellier, listed the CEO’s total earnings per annum as $13 million, including $7.8 million under allowances (including a fully maintained vehicle) and a basic salary of $5.4 million.

However, in a response to the article, the ministry insisted that the CEO’s basic salary was $5.4 million and that the $7.8 million under allowances represented the cost of the fully maintained motor vehicle which, it said, has remained the property of the AIC.

The ministry, however, informed OBSERVER ONLINE that with the 20 per cent concession rate on motor vehicles for Government employees, the vehicle purchased for the CEO cost only $4.75 million. No explanation was given for the remaining $3.05 million.

The matter was taken up in the House, by the Opposition’s spokesman on Agriculture and Fisheries, J C Hutchinson, who tabled the following questions in December:

1) Will the Minister state if it is a fact that the Chief Executive Officer of the Agro-Investment Corporation is receiving an allowance of $7,820,000?

2) Will the Minister state what has been the actual infrastructure expenditure to date on the nine agro parks in production?

3) Will the Minister state how much money has been spent on infrastructure at the Meyersfield Agro Park?

4) Will the Minister state what are the agricultural activities taking place at Meyersfield?

5) Will the Minister state what work is earmark to be done to make Hounslow an agro park?

6) Will the Minister state if farmers at Plantain Garden River owe money to any credit unions and, if so, how much? 

Balford Henry