Monique Hepburn, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
WITH NEGOTIATIONS with the Ministry of Finance and Planning at a standstill, the cash-strapped Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is now unable to settle an outstanding $20 million petrol bill with the Government's oil refinery Petrojam.
"I am informed that we do have an outstanding amount for fuel, something in excess of $20 million," Gilbert Scott, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, confirmed to The Gleaner yesterday. "The amount is part of the request that we have made to the Ministry of Finance as part of the operational requirements for the JDF and we are awaiting a response."
MINISTRY OFFICIALS TO INVESTIGATE
Mr. Scott stated that both ministries have been in constant dialogue about "the ongoing needs of the JDF" with a view to resolving the problem.
"We have an ongoing challenge to maintain the level of resource requirement and we constantly make representations to the Ministry of Finance and to ensure that the JDF is provided with what it needs to conduct its operations," Scott said.
Cordell Braham, director of public relations in the Finance Ministry, declined to divulge details of the status of the negotiations, but said ministry officials would investigate the matter.
"We will be thoroughly investigating the situation to verify the position and to provide an update," said Mr. Braham.
According to Mr. Scott, the operations of the organisation are severely strained but while this situation obtains, the JDF is still able to execute its operations and duties effectively.
