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<span style="font-weight: bold">News Source: OTGNR - </span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"> Local Gov ' t Minister to get report on visa controversy ( RJR )...</span>
A report should reach the desk of State Minister for Local Government Robert Montague on Friday on the use of public funds to acquire visas for at least two Councillors and two employees of the Portmore Municipal Council. Mr. Montague asked for the report after questions were raised about the transaction.The State Minister says the request was made last week, and he now awaits the findings."Well I written to Mayor Hinds, there were certain allegations and I wrote to the mayor asking for a report and an investigation on this viosa matter and I am expecting to have the report on Friday," Mr. Montague said. On Thursday RJR News revealed that local government officials had raised concerns about the advance of $155,000.It was used to obtain visas for Councillor for the Hellshire Division Leon Thomas, Councillor Alric Campbell, Director of Corporate Services, Courtney Campbell, and Secretary to the Chief Administration Manager, Janet Beale.The four were to have joined Portmore Mayor, Keith Hinds; Chief Administration Manager, David Parkes; and Director of Planning, Andre Griffiths, on a mission to the Cannock Chase Council, in London.However, it later turned out that Councillors Campbell and Thomas, as well as Mr. Campbell and Mrs. Beale, did not make the trip.Mayor Hinds has dismissed claims that the absentee Councillors and Municipal employees were only interested in securing visas.He has also denied any wrongdoing in the matter.
<span style="font-weight: bold"> Local Gov ' t Minister to get report on visa controversy ( RJR )...</span>
A report should reach the desk of State Minister for Local Government Robert Montague on Friday on the use of public funds to acquire visas for at least two Councillors and two employees of the Portmore Municipal Council. Mr. Montague asked for the report after questions were raised about the transaction.The State Minister says the request was made last week, and he now awaits the findings."Well I written to Mayor Hinds, there were certain allegations and I wrote to the mayor asking for a report and an investigation on this viosa matter and I am expecting to have the report on Friday," Mr. Montague said. On Thursday RJR News revealed that local government officials had raised concerns about the advance of $155,000.It was used to obtain visas for Councillor for the Hellshire Division Leon Thomas, Councillor Alric Campbell, Director of Corporate Services, Courtney Campbell, and Secretary to the Chief Administration Manager, Janet Beale.The four were to have joined Portmore Mayor, Keith Hinds; Chief Administration Manager, David Parkes; and Director of Planning, Andre Griffiths, on a mission to the Cannock Chase Council, in London.However, it later turned out that Councillors Campbell and Thomas, as well as Mr. Campbell and Mrs. Beale, did not make the trip.Mayor Hinds has dismissed claims that the absentee Councillors and Municipal employees were only interested in securing visas.He has also denied any wrongdoing in the matter.