Paulwell demands transparency after Vaz flagged in breach of procurement rules
/ Our Today
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The People’s National Party (PNP) is raising serious concerns following reports that Energy and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz has been flagged for breaching government procurement guidelines in the purchase of StarLink satellite devices, a matter that underscores growing questions about transparency, accountability and the management of public resources.
“According to the Auditor General’s report published on February 4, 2026, Minister Vaz proceeded with the acquisition of StarLink units outside of established procurement procedures, triggering scrutiny from oversight bodies tasked with protecting the integrity of public spending. This is particularly troubling given the safeguards procurement rules are designed to provide,” said a release from the PNP.
Shadow Minister of Energy and Telecommunications Phillip Paulwell pointed out that the issue is further complicated by the Minister’s own public statements. On November 1, 2025, Minister Vaz announced that Jamaica had received 700 Starlink units as a donation in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, presenting the devices as emergency support for national connectivity.
“Jamaicans are entitled to clear and consistent answers,” Paulwell said. “If 700 Starlink units were declared as a donation, the public must now be told why a subsequent purchase process has been flagged for breaching procurement guidelines. Transparency cannot be selective.”
Paulwell stressed that access to telecommunications is critical for disaster response, education, commerce and national resilience. “Because these services are so essential, decisions surrounding them must be unimpeachable and fully compliant with the law,” he said.
He reiterated the Opposition’s call for the establishment of a broad-based oversight committee to strengthen transparency and accountability across government. “Incidents like this highlight exactly why independent, cross-sector oversight is necessary. Jamaicans at home and abroad deserve confidence that public resources are managed with integrity, particularly during periods of national recovery.”
The Opposition is calling for full disclosure of all approvals, costs and processes related to the acquisition of the StarLink devices.
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