GOVERNMENT backbencher Dr Winston Green has suggested that the allocation to each Member of Parliament (MP) under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) be increased from $15 million to $50 million per annum.

Speaking in the sectoral debate in the House of Representatives, Green — who represents South East St Mary — said that although MPs are “eternally grateful” for the funds, the current allocation is “woefully inadequate”.

“I do believe that as persons elected to lead, a great level of trust has been placed in us. We come with a level of integrity and a lot is expected from us: We should be more empowered, financially, to carry out these functions,” Dr Green said.

“While central government spends billions of dollars, and rightly so, in the development of the country, each member of parliament knows the intricate and intimate needs of their constituencies, but is made lame in assisting as the $15 million given for the year, less professional fees, makes it woefully inadequate,” he stated.

“I am proposing that for the next financial year, consideration is given to increasing this figure to a minimum of $50 million,” Green concluded.

– Balford Henry