Govt to increase travelling “per diem” allowances for officials

By Michael Younge

Government is currently taking steps to increase the per diem and other benefits for its officials, Ministers and other members of the administration by an average of some 60 per cent whenever decisions are made to travel abroad for state business.

Sources close to the Finance Ministry on Wednesday told this newspaper that after becoming dissatisfied with what was offered by the State under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as allowances for travel aboard, the new Government decided to make changes that would see its members experiencing higher levels of comfort while on official state business at the expense of the public coffers.

This newspaper was informed that Finance Minister Winston Jordan is actively considering a proposal to increase the per diem offered to Ministers, political advisers and other state officials after the tabling of the 2015 National Budget. These increases in per diem allowances for overseas spending are in addition to the massive salary increases that the Government has already conceded are under “consideration”.

This newspaper also learnt on Wednesday that Minister Jordan was also considering putting in place a US$3000 “contingency allowance” for Government Ministers and Advisers. This amount would be spent at the discretion of the official who would determine what the “contingency” was. Under the PPP/C, there was no such allowance and the only monies made available to the Government Ministers were the US$25 out-of-pocket allowance at the expense of the treasury.

Ever since the change of administration, several officials, including President David Granger, have gone on numerous trips abroad under the rubric of doing “State business” without sometimes properly informing the public and other stakeholders.

Also, Ministers have been claiming that the trips that they have embarked on to attend political party meetings have been sponsored in full by the private individuals without disclosing the identity or quantum of the funds received.

Government has also denied funding these trips abroad from State funds unless it is for official State business.

Currently, Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes and State Minister Joseph Harmon are abroad and have been participating in what have been considered political meetings in the US.

Governance Minister Raphael Trotman, speaking at this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing, confirmed that the trip of the two Ministers were sponsored in part by Government but failed to say who else contributed.

When contacted, former Junior Finance Minister Bishop Juan Edghill expressed shock at the development explaining that under the past Government no attempt was made to increase the per diem allowance and other allowances significantly.