Paulwell demands transparency after Vaz flagged for breaching procurement rules
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) has raised concerns about transparency and accountability following reports that Energy and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz was flagged for breaching government procurement guidelines in the acquisition of StarLink satellite devices.
In a release on Wednesday, the Opposition said the issue was highlighted in the Auditor General’s report published on February 4, 2026, which indicated that Minister Vaz proceeded with the purchase of the StarLink units outside of established procurement procedures, prompting scrutiny from oversight bodies responsible for safeguarding public spending.
READ: Vaz flagged for breaching procurement guidelines in purchase of Starlink devices
The PNP said the matter raises serious questions about the management of public resources, particularly given the safeguards procurement rules are designed to provide. It noted that the issue is further complicated by the minister’s own public statements on the matter.
Shadow Minister of Energy and Telecommunications, Phillip Paulwell, pointed out that on November 1, 2025, Vaz announced that Jamaica had received 700 StarLink units as a donation following Hurricane Melissa, describing the devices as emergency support for national connectivity.
“Jamaicans are entitled to clear and consistent answers,” Paulwell said. “If 700 StarLink units were declared as a donation, the public must now be told why a subsequent purchase process has been flagged for breaching procurement guidelines. Transparency cannot be selective.”
Paulwell stressed that access to telecommunications is critical for disaster response, education, commerce and national resilience, and said decisions related to such essential services must meet the highest standards. “Because these services are so essential, decisions surrounding them must be unimpeachable and fully compliant with the law,” he said.
He also reiterated the Opposition’s call for the establishment of a broad-based oversight committee to strengthen transparency and accountability across government.
“Incidents like this highlight exactly why independent, cross-sector oversight is necessary. Jamaicans at home and abroad deserve confidence that public resources are managed with integrity, particularly during periods of national recovery,” Paulwell added.
The Opposition is calling for full disclosure of all approvals, costs and processes associated with the acquisition of the StarLink devices.
