“Poof. Gone.”
That was Opposition Leader Marlon Penn’s blunt assessment of $7.5 million in public funds tied to investments in Delta Capital Partners Limited and the Bank of Asia.
In a hard-hitting statement issued today, July 30, Penn demanded that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley come clean about the Territory’s finances. He also announced plans to write the Auditor General requesting a full investigation into the $2.5 million invested in Jamaica-based Delta Capital Partners.
“Every signature. Every email. Every approval. Every failure. We will leave no stone unturned,” Penn declared.
The Opposition Leader accused the Government of treating the public purse like “a private piggy bank with no bottom”, pointing to the Delta investment and another $5 million placed in the Bank of Asia, which is now in receivership.
Penn challenged Dr. Wheatley’s recent statement that he was unaware of the Delta investment when it was made.
He cited Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act, which states that the Financial Secretary may invest money from the Consolidated Fund in an authorised investment with the minister’s approval.
“Are we expected to believe that $2.5 million walked out of the Consolidated Fund without the knowledge of the man whose authority and legal duty it is to approve such transactions?” Penn questioned.
“Convenient ignorance is not a defence. It is a confession.”
Penn called for everyone involved in approving the investments to be held accountable, declaring that “heads must roll”.
He argued that the $7.5 million could have helped address the water crisis, pension adjustments, healthcare workers’ salary concerns and the needs of vulnerable families.
Penn also criticised the Government for failing to answer Opposition questions in the House of Assembly for 11 months, warning that the continued lack of accountability reflects the same culture that led to the Commission of Inquiry.
“The Premier must come clean. He must account for his stewardship of this Territory’s finances,” Penn stated.
“The time for excuses is over. The time for answers is now.”
That was Opposition Leader Marlon Penn’s blunt assessment of $7.5 million in public funds tied to investments in Delta Capital Partners Limited and the Bank of Asia.
In a hard-hitting statement issued today, July 30, Penn demanded that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley come clean about the Territory’s finances. He also announced plans to write the Auditor General requesting a full investigation into the $2.5 million invested in Jamaica-based Delta Capital Partners.
“Every signature. Every email. Every approval. Every failure. We will leave no stone unturned,” Penn declared.
The Opposition Leader accused the Government of treating the public purse like “a private piggy bank with no bottom”, pointing to the Delta investment and another $5 million placed in the Bank of Asia, which is now in receivership.
Penn challenged Dr. Wheatley’s recent statement that he was unaware of the Delta investment when it was made.
He cited Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act, which states that the Financial Secretary may invest money from the Consolidated Fund in an authorised investment with the minister’s approval.
“Are we expected to believe that $2.5 million walked out of the Consolidated Fund without the knowledge of the man whose authority and legal duty it is to approve such transactions?” Penn questioned.
“Convenient ignorance is not a defence. It is a confession.”
Penn called for everyone involved in approving the investments to be held accountable, declaring that “heads must roll”.
He argued that the $7.5 million could have helped address the water crisis, pension adjustments, healthcare workers’ salary concerns and the needs of vulnerable families.
Penn also criticised the Government for failing to answer Opposition questions in the House of Assembly for 11 months, warning that the continued lack of accountability reflects the same culture that led to the Commission of Inquiry.
“The Premier must come clean. He must account for his stewardship of this Territory’s finances,” Penn stated.
“The time for excuses is over. The time for answers is now.”
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What about the Pensioners money ???