By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News|
The Parliamentary Committee of Supply has greenlit a $40 million allocation for the Office of the Commissioner of Information in the 2026 Budget, despite intense pushback from the Opposition and civil society. The approval comes as critics highlight a glaring decade-long gap in accountability, with the office failing to submit a single annual report to the National Assembly since its inception.
During the estimates debate, the focus was on whether the office, currently held by Charles Ramson Snr., provides any tangible value for money.
The “$1 Slashing” Proposal
Opposition MP Ganesh Mahipaul led the charge against the allocation, arguing that the office has become a “black hole” for taxpayer funds. Mahipaul noted that more than $90 million has been channeled to the office over the past five years, with no public evidence of output.
“There is no report for over 10 years,” Mahipaul told the Committee, questioning why an office that doesn’t report to the people’s representatives should continue to receive funding. He formally moved a motion to slash the allocation to $1, a symbolic gesture often used to signal a total lack of confidence in an agency’s performance.
Breakdown of the $40 Million
Following pressure from APNU Parliamentary Leader Dr. Terrence Campbell for a detailed breakdown, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira revealed that the vast majority of the budget is consumed by personnel costs.
Budgetary Allocation Highlights:
- Salary & Benefits: Approximately $33.5 million is earmarked for the Commissioner’s compensation package, including vacation allowance, gratuity, and NIS.
- Allowances: The figure also covers a chauffeur allowance and other executive perks.
- Operations: The remaining balance covers office rent on East Street and administrative overheads.
Contradicting Claims on Transparency
A sharp point of contention arose regarding the volume of work handled by the office. Minister Teixeira defended the funding, stating that the office receives an average of six requests per month and that all have been honored.
This assertion was met with skepticism from journalists and civil society groups who have staged protests outside the Commissioner’s office as recently as last year. Protesters argue that:
- Inaccessibility: Requests for critical information often go unanswered or face bureaucratic hurdles.
- Legal Non-Compliance: Under the Access to Information Act, the Commissioner is legally required to submit an annual report to Parliament detailing the number of requests received and their status—a requirement that has been ignored for over 10 years.
- Undermining Democracy: Critics argue that a non-functioning information office undermines the Act’s intended spirit of transparency.
Government Stands Firm
Despite the protests and the Opposition’s motion to defund the office, Minister Teixeira rejected any reduction, stating she would “hate to cut” an office established under the Freedom of Information framework. The government used its majority to clear the $40 million, ensuring the office remains funded through 2026.
