Amid $124m JCTE scandal, Williams promises cooperation with investigations
Juanique Tennant / Our Today
Education Minister Fayval Williams has affirmed her willingness to cooperate with investigative bodies in uncovering the supposed fiduciary failings that led to the payment of $124 million to the Joint Committee on Tertiary Education (JCTE).
The move follows recommendations, made by Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis, that the minister ask the police or an anti-corruption agency to further investigate how an unaccounted for $124 million in taxpayers’ money was spent by the JCTE.
Following the receipt of the Auditor General’s recommendations, Williams formally referred the matter to the Chief Technical Director of the Financial Investigations Division (FID) in a letter dated October 7, 2021.
The minister also wrote to Colonel Desmond Edwards, director general of the Major Organised Crime & Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), in a letter dated October 14, 2021, indicating the ministry’s availability to provide any information needed by the agency to aid in its investigations.
In addition, the Acting Commissioner of Police at the Jamaica Constabulary Force has been alerted to the Auditor General’s report.
According to the Education Ministry, it remains fully committed to cooperating with the Auditor General’s Department, FID and MOCA to facilitate all necessary investigations in keeping with the principles of transparency and accountability.
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