Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
THE GOVERNMENT is yet to pay out $103 million in damages awarded to members of the public against agents of the state such as the police or health officials.
According to Permanent Secretary in the Justice Ministry, Carol Palmer, the Government has managed to pay $166 million in damages for the period 2002-2004.
LACK OF FUNDS
But she told yesterday's sitting of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that due to a lack of funds the Government was unable to clear the outstanding $103 million debt.
"We have significantly cleared all of that (judgement debts) and we have 2005 judgements and then the current judgements that are coming in," she said.
She, however, pointed out that despite clearing the backlog, more debts were mounting.
"What has happened is that the debt has gone back up with the new judgements and awards. So, in fact, it is like we have done nothing really," she said.
