Golding questions NaRRA CEO salary, office costs, as hurricane victims await assistance

Golding's criticism came in a comment under a Television Jamaica (TVJ) Instagram post highlighting the advertised compensation package for NaRRA's Chief Executive Officer, retired Major General Antony Anderson, alongside the starting salary for the Chief Executive Officer of the National Works Agency (NWA).

“This plus 2 floors in a waterfront building, meanwhile Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St James, Hanover and Trelawny are all filled with people, schools and businesses that have been waiting almost a year after Hurricane Melissa for help,” Golding wrote.

According to documents obtained by Radio Jamaica News through an Access to Information request, the NaRRA CEO position was advertised with an annual base salary ranging from J$35 million to J$45 million.

The advertised package also included a fully maintained motor vehicle, security, a housing allowance of J$3 million to J$3.5 million, and a performance incentive of up to 25 per cent of the base salary.

In comparison, the NWA's advertisement for its CEO position listed a starting annual salary of J$17,005,318.

The NWA, which oversees the planning, construction and maintenance of Jamaica's main road network and flood control systems, requires applicants for the position to have extensive qualifications and experience, including a degree in civil engineering, postgraduate training and at least 10 years of professional experience.

The salary comparison comes amid controversy over NaRRA's proposed headquarters at the Digicel building in downtown Kingston. The government had initially announced a five-year lease arrangement costing approximately J$115 million annually for office space at the waterfront property.

However, following public criticism, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the arrangement would be scaled back, with NaRRA occupying one floor instead of the originally proposed two.

Golding's latest comment links the salary disclosure and office accommodation controversy to concerns about the pace of recovery in parishes affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister has clarified that Anderson's actual basic salary is J$40 million annually.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 9, the government said Anderson was not offered the advertised housing allowance, which was intended for candidates relocating to Jamaica.

It said his additional benefits consist of an assigned motor vehicle and a 25 per cent gratuity subject to performance.

The government defended the compensation package, stating that NaRRA's responsibilities extend beyond those of a conventional administrative agency and include coordinating major infrastructure projects, reconstruction programmes and international development partnerships.

It also maintained that the remuneration was benchmarked against comparable senior executive positions and reflects the scale and complexity of the authority's mandate.

NaRRA was established to coordinate Jamaica's recovery and reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Melissa, with Anderson assuming duties as CEO on June 1, 2026.

Golding's criticism has added to the public debate over the authority's operating costs and the pace at which recovery assistance is reaching affected communities, as questions continue over how resources are being allocated between administration and reconstruction.