Opposition spokesman on finance, planning and the public sector Julian Robinson gesticulates while making his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate in Parliament on Thursday. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)
March 15, 2025
PNP to make procurement process more efficient; promote use of e-signatures – Robinson
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The procurement process which is often blamed for delays in the implementation of Government projects will be overhauled if the People’s National Party (PNP) returns to office after the next general election due this year.
Julian Robinson, the PNP Spokesman on Finance and the Public Service has committed to lead the overhaul. He was speaking Thursday as he made his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate at Gordon House. He said the PNP will do so while safeguarding transparency and accountability.
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“As Minister of Finance, I will eliminate unnecessary and outdated steps in the procurement process to speed up approvals without compromising integrity. Specifically, I will review the public investment appraisal process to ensure that it runs more efficiently and effectively,” Robinson said.
He committed to also explore the re-establishment of the Development Council—an initiative that existed under the P.J. Patterson administration, which, he stated “significantly improved the efficiency of government procurement, which is vital for the implementation of projects”.
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“Jamaica cannot afford to have billions in unspent funds while roads, schools, and hospitals remain in disrepair. A PNP government will ensure that capital projects move forward efficiently, delivering the infrastructure and economic growth that Jamaicans deserve,” Robinson said.
He added that “more efficiency in public service is a necessity. Yet, too many Jamaicans still endure long wait times, excessive paperwork, and outdated processes. Small businesses struggle for months to obtain simple permits, while inefficiency in healthcare, procurement, and public services stifles growth and opportunity”.
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Meanwhile, the Opposition spokesman said he would also move to accelerate digital transformation. He pointed out that the Electronic Transactions Act (ETA) of 2006 made e-signatures legally valid, “yet the government still clings to handwritten signatures, delaying contracts, licenses, and approvals”.
He acknowledged that some agencies have embraced e-signatures—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic but lamented that “adoption remains inconsistent”.
He said a PNP government will mandate e-signatures across all ministries and agencies for faster processing; develop a centralised e-signature platform for secure, authenticated transactions – following successful models like Singapore’s SingPass or Estonia’s eID; update legislation if necessary to ensure e-signatures are standard across government services; train public servants and citizens in the use of e-signatures to build confidence in the system; and implement robust security measures, such as Public Key Infrastructure and multi-factor authentication, to protect data integrity.
“Digital transformation must be a priority, not a talking point. We need user-friendly online portals where citizens can apply for services and track progress remotely. Government processes must be simplified—removing redundant steps, eliminating unnecessary signatures, and making efficiency a core principle of governance. Inefficiency is not just an inconvenience—it is a barrier to Jamaica’s progress. It wastes time, stifles opportunity, and erodes public trust,” Robinson declared.
