KINGSTON, Jamaica — A comprehensive audit investigation has revealed significant governance lapses within Jamaica’s parliamentary financial management systems. The Auditor General’s Department (AuGD) identified critical weaknesses in the oversight mechanisms governing a government-funded credit card operated by the Houses of Parliament (HoP), raising substantial concerns about potential misuse.
The special audit, directed by Auditor General Pamela Monroe-Ellis, was initiated following allegations of administrative mismanagement within the country’s legislative headquarters under Clerk Colleen Lowe’s leadership. The recently tabled report highlights systemic failures in financial monitoring and reconciliation processes that created vulnerabilities for non-compliance and financial exposure.
While the audit examination of 65 sampled transactions totaling US$14,279.68 found no evidence of personal expenditures, it uncovered a startling US$28.96 million accounting error that remained undetected for approximately four months. The discrepancy occurred when a requested transfer of Jamaican dollar equivalent to US$181,026.73 was erroneously processed as a direct withdrawal of $28.96 million, with the parliamentary administration failing to identify the massive error until months later.
The investigation further revealed that the Parliament’s credit card administrator failed to perform mandatory monthly reconciliations for 40 transactions worth US$11,377 between February and May 2025. Additionally, the institution breached Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act requirements by submitting only two of five required quarterly reports during the review period, both delivered with significant delays ranging from 3 to 40 days past deadlines.
The audit scope extended beyond credit card management, uncovering additional policy violations including a senior parliamentary manager’s unauthorized use of a government vehicle for nearly six months, improper awarding of a $24 million renovation contract for the Members’ Lounge, and procurement of 16 air conditioning units in violation of established government guidelines.