The decision to issue a moratorium concerning non-essential official overseas travel across the public service is the first of several moves being made by Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness, to increase efficiency within the government and to improve the delivery of service to the Jamaican people.

So says State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for communication, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley.

Shaloy Smikle reports.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Holness advised all government ministers of the moratorium.

Cabinet Secretary, Audrey Sewell, also issued a similar advisory to Permanent Secretaries in a memo dated October 21.

The moratorium extends to all official travel across the public service, whether it is funded by taxpayers or external organisations.

Sewell says overseas travel may only be permitted with written prior approval and only to post-Melissa reconstruction and recovery, national security, approved board meetings, essential tourism promotion and genuine emergencies of compelling national importance.

The memo says the government must lead by example in demonstrating prudence, restraint and an unwavering commitment to directing scarce public resources towards the country’s most urgent priorities.

Helping these families regain stability and rebuild their lives remains an urgent priority, requiring faster and more responsive delivery of assistance.

State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley, says the Prime Minister will shortly elaborate on other steps that are being taken to increase efficiency and service delivery.

Fitz-Henley says the moratorium builds on the travel quota system introduced by the Prime Minister for Ministers two years ago.

He adds that the moratorium also forms part of the prime minister’s efforts to refine and expand the initiative towards achieving greater efficiency across government.