KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Sector, Fayval Williams, confirmed this afternoon that the issues which held up the release of an ambulance donated by Diaspora Jamaicans had been resolved.

“”I wish to report that the issue has been dealt, and the ambulance is in the process of being cleared,” Williams told the House of Representatives this afternoon.

It was raised by Leader of the Opposition, Dr Peter Phillips, during debate on another matter in the House.

Dr Phillips admitted that there is a limit on the importation of such gifts. However, he said that there is room for discretion, if the item is considered a priority.

“The minister can apply discretion, but it is not unlimited discretion. I think we need to make that very clear,” Phillips said.

The Jamaica Observer reported this morning that the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference in downtown Kingston was informed Monday that an ambulance, a gift from the Jamaican Diaspora in the United Kingdom, had been on the wharf for 11 months and needed US$39,000 to be cleared.

However, Minister of Health, Dr Christopher Tufton, had informed the Diaspora conference that he had already discussed the matter with finance minister Audley Shaw, who had agreed to grant to a moratorium on the outstanding amount, which would be transferred to the capped amount for the next financial year (2018/19).

Balford Henry