THE Ministry of Agriculture has clarified information published in the media regarding the signing for the release of funds to cover sugar workers severance.

Media reports had quoted Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder as saying last week that he signed off an order of some $1.7B for the release of funds to pay the first tranche of severance pay to workers in the sugar industry who have been laid off……”

However, in a statement on Monday, the ministry clarified that the Minister of Agriculture or any Minister of Government does not have the authority to sign-off payments for any other financial Government transaction. “Such is the responsibility of the finance minister as was the case of the severance package payment to GuySuCo employees.

The Minister of Agriculture did make a request to the finance minister for said payment to be released, but it was the finance ministry/minister who signed off such payment. The Ministry of Agriculture wishes to make this clarification public. “