Gov’t dismisses Opposition’s criticism of non-essential travel moratorium as ‘misguided and shallow’

KINGSTON, Jamaica —State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Abka Fitz-Henley, has rejected criticism by Opposition Spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson of the Government’s recently announced moratorium on non-essential overseas travel across the public sector, including the political executive.

Senator Fitz-Henley, in a statement, said it has long been the policy of the Government to, where possible, increase efficiency across the public sector, including at the level of the executive, and properly manage the expenditure of public resources.

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“The prime minister had a few years ago put in place a quota in terms of ministerial travel. This additional measure is a move to further concretise and expand the push for greater efficiency across Government. In fact, the moratorium on non-essential travel is the first of a series of steps which the prime minister will announce to achieve increased efficiency, along with quicker and more effective delivery of service to the people of Jamaica. The PNP’s assessment of the decision is superficial, shallow and misguided, but consistent with their modus operandi to attempt to disparage measures which are in Jamaica’s best interest,” Fitz-Henley said.