PNP Press Release - October 23, 2026
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| MP Julian Robinson |
The People's National Party is questioning whether the Government's sudden ban on official overseas travel is a genuine effort to control costs or simply a public relations exercise, coming immediately after millions of dollars were committed to the newly established NARA.
The moratorium, outlined in a Government memorandum, takes immediate effect and runs until March 31, 2027. It covers Cabinet ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of agencies, board members and public sector employees, and applies even where travel is fully funded by external organisations. The Government cites the fiscal strain caused by Hurricane Melissa, however the ban noticeably states;”Overseas travel may only be permitted for post-Melissa reconstruction…” as one of the areas not excluded by the travel ban.
"I think this ban raises more questions than answers as to whether this is really going to be an effective way to control costs," said Julian Robinson, MP, Opposition Spokesperson on Finance. "It comes immediately after NARA, where we are seeing millions of dollars being spent on office space and on a structure that is top heavy in terms of salaries. So I just wonder whether this is more performative, more from a public relations perspective."
Mr Robinson accepts that overseas travel must be managed carefully. However, the Government has not disclosed how much it expects to save, what exceptions will apply, or why externally sponsored trips, which cost taxpayers nothing, are being blocked at a time when Jamaica needs international partners to support its recovery.
For Jamaicans still rebuilding homes, farms and businesses after Hurricane Melissa, every dollar matters. Genuine fiscal discipline must begin with the largest areas of spending, not the most visible ones.
The Opposition calls on the Government to publish the projected savings from this ban alongside a full accounting of expenditure at NARA, so that the public can judge for itself whether this measure is substance or spin.
Audio - Julian Robinson
Editor's Note
Press releases are not edited.
In commenting on the government's press release, I said that it should remain an internal memo and a short press release sent out about the matter. We now end up majoring in the minor.
I am still confused. Is it a travel ban or a travel restriction? Why you would you not allow travel funding by external sources?
There are far more important issues to discuss, and plans need to be put in place to improve the lives of our people.
If travel has to be approved at the Cabinet level, this could pose a challenge when there is a need to get urgent approval, and the Cabinet will not be able to meet. Cabinet has far more important matters to deal with. What you need is an approved budget and guideline with approval by the board or the permanent secretary.
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All travel banned to prevent loophole exploitation and juggling.
ReplyDeletePart of a public relations rescue package for the NaRRA extravagance fall out.