STATIN faces rent woes

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is facing a shortfall in its budget set aside for paying rent for its offices.

The agency had been allocated $64.8 million in the 2012-2013 budget but up to December, the agency had already paid out $62.3 million.

Yesterday during a sitting of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament, one of its members, Mikael Phillips questioned why the agency had already spent 96 per cent of its rental budget, with another quarter left in the current financial year.

Director General of STATIN, Sonia Jackson, explained that there was a shortfall because there was a review of the company’s rental agreement with its landlords in 2012.

The agency is reportedly paying rent to private entities at its head office and at eight of its satellite offices.

In the meantime, t was also revealed that the agency has had to set aside $60 million as vacation leave provision.

Jackson said staff at the agency have accumulated leave over a long period and the provision has to be made in the accounts to pay for leave not taken.

However, she said the company has been seeking to get staff to take their leave so that the money does not have to be paid.

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