The following is a statement from Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Arnaldo Brown, acknowledging the high cost of his telephone bill:
I understand the public concern over telephone expenses incurred during the twelve 12 month period July 2013 to June 2014.
During the period, I went on 15 overseas assignments on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica. I visited several countries, including the United Kingdom, Turkey and Indonesia.
The call and data charges were incurred as I executed my duties as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Whilst on overseas assignment, it is necessary to be in contact with, and be accessible to the Ministry, key stakeholders and the Diaspora by phone and e‑mail.
The concern of Jamaicans is fully understood and accepted, and without more information, I know the impression that such expenditure may convey. I acknowledge that the bills are very high, largely attributed to data and roaming charges. However, it is important for everyone to know that these bills were incurred genuinely as I carried out my work and because of the high cost of roaming for voice and data services. In going forward, I intend to put in place measures to ensure a reduction in the cost of these bills.
Currently, I am on official business overseas and I am more than willing to address this issue and to give a more fulsome response upon return. jamaicaobserver.com
Fair enough…
As I said before this expense may be legit. The problem I have is with the lack of oversight and mechanisms in place to offset these expenditures, for examples having Jamaican Consulates source temporary numbers for the use of Ministers when they are abroad so as to minimize costs.