Business
Haiti: Digicel Releases Statement on Education Tax Money
- Tuesday, January 10, 2012 10:57 AM
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Written by S. Maxime
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - Digicel released a note to the press on Tuesday regarding its participation in the National Fund for Education.
Digicel finds it important to clarify to the public in general that it never had the intention to suggest that any funds were misused.
It is happy with the Government of Haiti’s commitment at the highest level to follow through on its promise to publish audited reports of the education fund’s proceeds.
To date, Digicel has deposited a total of US$11.1 million which has been collected through the levy on international incoming calls and the money is deposited with CONATEL.
The payment of 1.945m US$ of the levy collected for December 2011 will take place on January 20th.
Digicel is also aware that disbursements were made to schools in December and looks forward to seeing those proceeds help to bring about positive transformation in the education system and provide a brighter future for Haiti’s children.
Contrary to any claims of a disbursement in December, the Ministry of Education has since, as recently as Friday, January 6, claimed it has not used any monies from the National Fund for Education because it was not established through a legal frame work.
The Constitution of Haiti requires that state funds be deposited to the nation's Central Bank, the Bank of the Republic of Haiti, who's governor, Charles Castel told the Senate Economic and Finance Committee in December that only money transfer taxes were deposited to that bank and were totaling $4.8 million [US].
Transparency with the National Fund for Education remains an issue. Digicel CEO, Denis O'Brien in a New York Times article released Friday January 6 requested President Michel Martelly present him an audit of the use of the education funds.
Related 01.05.2011: Haitian Teachers want Corrections to President's Free Education Program
Related 12.26.2011: Haitian Schools to Receive Loans from Credit Bank for Free Education
Related 12.14.2011: Haiti: Measures by Senate Aims to Resolve U.S. Currency Shortage
Related 12.13.2011: Haiti: Millions Collected for Education 'Nonexistent' says Senator
Related 12.02.2011: Haiti Private Schools Suffering with Parents Refusing to Pay
Related 11.26.2011: "National Fund for Education is not operational" says Haiti Education Minister
Related 11.25.2011: Rising Suspicions of Corruption in the Haitian Presidency
Related 10.18.2011: $26 Million [US] Missing from Haiti's National Fund for Education
Related 06.17.2011: Education Tax in Effect as $2 Calling Cards Drop from 22 Minutes to 6 Minutes
Related 05.27.2011: Martelly Launches National Fund for Education
