CDF committee approves constituency projects and reviews fund administration

Parliament’s Constituency Development Fund Committee used its June 9, 2026 meeting to approve constituency projects, review a draft report on CDF administration, and restate concerns about compensation for personnel supporting the fund.

After the meeting opened with prayer and apologies were noted for members including Terrelong and Heroy Clarke, the committee confirmed its previous minutes. Members then returned to a draft special report on the CDF, which addresses sums provided for project execution and the administrative arrangements used to manage the fund. Discussion focused on wording about poor remuneration, including how references to the CDF Project Management Unit, CDF officers and administrative assistants should be treated.

The committee heard that CDF officers start at a salary of $3.5 million, rising to $4.7 million, with additional travel provisions. The chair said members remained concerned that experienced CDF officers were leaving for better offers, placing pressure on support for 63 constituencies. She also said MPs had asked the Ministry of Finance to consider paying administrative assistants separately from the constituency allocation, rather than from the $20 million CDF provision.

Projects approved included administrative assistant allocations of $1.5 million each for Olivia Grange in St Catherine Central and Richard Azan in Clarendon North Western, both through the Social Development Commission. A disaster mitigation project for Damian Crawford in St Catherine North Western was approved at $2,999,790 through the National Works Agency.

Education support approvals included $8 million for Dwayne Smith in St Andrew North Western, $5 million each for Delano Seiveright and Philip Paulwell, $7.21 million for Olivia Grange, $9 million for Isat Buchanan in Portland Eastern, and $5 million for Tova Hamilton in Trelawny Northern.

The committee also approved social housing, sports, economic enablement and welfare projects across several constituencies. A St Mary South Eastern reallocation sought by Christopher Brown moved $1.032 million from the Pleasant Hill Community Centre renovation to the Enfield Community Centre project, with unused funds to return to the CDF office.

Before adjournment, the chair welcomed CDF officials and explained to observers that MPs do not receive cash from the fund; approved spending is paid through accountable government processes.