Drawdown of NHT funds raises ethical concerns

Monique Grange, Assistant News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

General Secretary of the Jamaica Council of Churches, Reverend Gary Harriott is raising ethical concerns about the government’s plan to draw down on funds from the coffers of the National Housing Trust (NHT).

He is questioning whether it is right for the government to withdraw contributions from the fund to support the economy.

Reverend Harriott says he will be seeking a meeting with the government to have that and other questions answered.

He says the government must also outline how the draw down of $45 billion will affect the viability of the Trust in fulfilling its mandate.

He says the Jamaica Council of Churches will also be holding discussions with the Jamaica Labour Party on the government’s plans to raid the NHT and other issues of national importance.

The board of the NHT has said it is too early to say how the programmes of the Trust will change over the four-year period in which funds will be taken from it.

Chairman of the Trust Easton Douglas has been insisting that the draw down of funds is not illegal despite concerns raised by members of civil society and the opposition party.

Reverend Harriott believes the government's plans must not only be looked at from a legal standpoint but also from an ethical perspective.

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