Nekeisha Burchell accuses government of exploiting taxpayers funds for political gain
Toriann Ellis / Our Today
author
Nekeisha Burchell, Opposition Spokesperson on Information, has blasted Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his administration for purportedly misusing taxpayer money for “vulgar campaign advertisements”.
She stated that it’s a blatant misuse of citizens’ money on partisan political propaganda. “Across radio and television, we’re seeing campaign-style advertisements paid for by the government ministries, including the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Local Government. These are not public service messages. They are thinly veiled political ads meant to boost the Jamaica Labour Party using public funds,” Burchell said.
The opposition spokesperson emphasised that this is not just unethical but is corruption in plain sight. “It is estimated that billions of taxpayers’ dollars are being diverted to this campaign, yet public sector workers are still waiting on retroactive payments, uniform allowances and salary increases. Pensioners are waiting. Hospitals are short on basic supplies,” she added.
She said that while Jamaicans suffer, the government is spending freely to promote itself and cling to power, all at the expense of the public purse.
“The lines have been dangerously blurred between government service and party promotion. Since this government refuses to exercise ethical restraint, we are demanding accountability. The PNP is calling for an immediate audit to determine just how much public money has been spent on these campaign ads, and we’re calling for it to stop. Enough is enough,” Burchell continued.
She further detailed that public funds must be used to serve the people, not bankroll political gain. “Jamaicans deserve real leadership, not propaganda, not PR, and not photo ops sponsored by the people. They deserve better,” Burchell added.
Comments