'Rules not suspended in a disaster' - Holness warns ministers and heads of gov't bodies

There is no suspension of accountability rules in a disaster, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has warned.

The warning to technocrats in the various Government ministries, departments and agencies came on Friday as Holness announced that his administration will launch a “very comprehensive” humanitarian and recovery strategy following the likely impact of Tropical Storm Melissa on the island.

He said for this to work effectively citizens who will require assistance must have proper identification and urged everyone to secure important documents.

“There is a view that because it is a disaster all the rules are suspended. I hasten to advise everyone, particularly the permanent secretaries, the heads of departments, the accounting officers and the ministers, there is no suspension of accountability rules, even in a disaster,” said the prime minister.

“Every dollar that is spent has to be accounted for. The same people who are screaming that ‘we need it now, we need it now’ are the same people who will turn around and say ‘where did you spend that money’,” he added.

In 2022, the Auditor General's Department flagged allegedly irregular practices with how the health ministry conducted some procurement-related activities. It noted then absence of formal contracts totalling more than $400 million with 14 of 15 hotels and suppliers for infrastructural works.

Ministry officials rejected the allegations in the report.

Meanwhile, Holness also appealed to citizens to protect their important documents.

“Put them in a ziplock bag, tie dem up in a plastic bag…keep them somewhere safe because we are going to need them to identify you in order to facilitate a very quick recovery process.”

He also urged citizens who live in areas that were flooded in previous weather events to take the measure announced by the Government seriously.

“I have not yet said evacuate, but if we declare a disaster evacuation orders will be in effect. I am putting everyone on notice,” Holness cautioned.

He said the Government-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company has already been alerted to the possibility of evacuations and will provide buses if it becomes necessary.

-Livern Barrett

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