Remaining West Kingston Claimants Implored to Come Forward

Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, is encouraging the remaining 148 claimants who suffered damage and losses as a result of the 2010 West Kingston security operations to urgently come forward to claim their share of $21 million in compensation.

Providing an update in the House of Representatives on January 23, the Minister said persons are being asked to visit the Restorative Justice centres in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town with their banking information to ensure they get their compensation on time.

“Any amount not disbursed at the end of March 2018 will revert to the Consolidated Fund,” the Minister pointed out.

Mr. Chuck informed that a total of 447 recommendations for monetary compensations were made, and as at January 12, 2018, the Justice Ministry paid out a total sum of $178 million to approximately 270 claimants directly and a further 29 through the Administrator General’s Department (AGD).

Regarding judgement debts, the Minister noted that as of January 23, the Ministry paid out 99 per cent of the principal sums that were awarded and referred up to November 2017.

“During the fiscal year, the Ministry of Finance provided the Justice Ministry with a total of $849 million, of which $705 million has already been paid. A balance of approximately $144 million remains on account to pay judgement debts,” he said.

He acknowledged that the delay in completing the payments is as a result of the lack of banking details, trustee information and original formal orders on the files of persons.

Mr. Chuck asserted that his Ministry intends to act in strict compliance with the recommendations of the Compensation Committee and, as such, will not be going beyond the recommendations set out in the report.

“The Government has done all it can, in keeping with the recommendations and with due process, to offer compensation to persons who had been affected by the unfortunate May 2010 events in West Kingston,” the Minister said.