THE Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, yesterday lashed out at the Guyana Times for continuing to peddle misinformation regarding out-of-pocket allowances for ministers and Government officials, despite his efforts to clarify the issue.The publication had erroneously stated that the minister was proposing per diem allowance increases from $US25 to US$500.
“These things are so absurd and outrageous, any decent editor would not even bother to print it, I don’t see how you could be moving an out-of-pocket allowance from US$25 to US$500 per diem,” the Finance Minister said.
The newspaper also stated that the Government was considering increasing allowances for hotel accommodation and meals, and was even mulling the institution of a US$3000 contingency allowance for ministers and advisers when they travel.
These claims were strongly refuted by the minister, who assured media operatives that no document supporting such an increase exists, nor is any such contingency being considered. He dismissed the figures that the publication quoted as “outrageous”.  Minister Jordan said he has referred this matter to his lawyers and said that very soon the Guyana Times may get its opportunity to test its contentions and assertions in a court of law.
“There is no document that suggests that rates are being increased by these scandalous numbers… no minister of this Government has been granted any contingency allowance to travel abroad,” Minister Jordan stated.
The minister explained that the Government’s main priority is improving accountability and tightening up the way public funds are spent. In this regard, he issued a stern warning to ministers and officials of the former Administration who have yet to clear travel advances that are in some cases up to a year old. The minister called on them to visit the treasury to clear their travel advances, failing which, he would be forced to instruct the accountant general to take the necessary action.
Recognising the challenges in ensuring accountability for travel allowances, the minister said the Government has taken the decision to discontinue the practice of signing on a statement in lieu of presentation of bills. In the past, officials could have simply affixed their signatures on a statement saying that money was spent and the advance would have been cleared without having to produce a bill.
“If you do not bring the bills or part of the bills to substantiate your expenditure, you will be required to repay up to 60 percent of the advance…contrary to what people believe that we are raiding the treasury, we are actually tightening up,” Minister Jordan said.