KINGSTON, Jamaica — People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for St Catherine West Central, Locksley Francis is calling for a forensic audit of the nearly $200 million allocated to the constituency through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) over the past nine years.
Francis made the call as he chided sitting member of parliament for the constituency, the Jamaica Labour Party’s Dr Christopher Tufton, over what he said was the lack of infrastructural development in the area despite the annual CDF allocation of $22 million intended to support community-based projects and address critical community needs.
“I have noticed that no infrastructural development is taking place in the constituency,” Francis stated. “We are plagued by bad roads across many communities, and a persistent water crisis continues to affect areas such as Cherry District and other communities in Kitson Town, as well as Point Hill and sections of Brown’s Hall.”
Citing seemly long-standing and incomplete projects, Francis pointed to several areas where he says work was either halted or abandoned.
“Of note also are some incomplete projects in various communities that remained incomplete for many years and in some cases it seems that the projects have been abandoned,” he said.
“Notably, a water project started in the Conners District some four years ago remains incomplete; roadworks in the Ginger Ridge area began and then stopped,” Francis continued, adding “a road and water main project in Point Hill has been abandoned; and a bridge project in the Old Works district has also ceased. It is important to note that this bridge serves adjoining communities, so its importance cannot be overstressed.”
Francis emphasised that these issues have persisted throughout Dr Tufton’s nine-year tenure as MP.
“In St Catherine West Central, there is not one sustainable development project that I can pinpoint where the annual $22 million Mr Tufton has been receiving has been used to fund. That’s over $198 million in taxpayers’ money with nothing substantial to show,” Francis declared.
In light of these concerns, the PNP caretaker is calling for an immediate forensic audit of all CDF allocations to the constituency over the past decade stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
“The taxpayers deserve clarity. We need to know how this money is being spent or not spent, so we can ensure real development reaches the people of this constituency,” he said.
Francis also sought to reaffirm his commitment to advocating for the needs of residents in St Catherine West Central and ensuring that public funds are used effectively to benefit the people.