The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL vendors and caterers under the Ministry of Education’s National School Lunch Programme say they have not received timely payments for meals provided to public schools in recent weeks, raising concerns over financial strain and operational sustainability.

The Tribune spoke with four vendors who discussed delays of up to five weeks in receiving reimbursement for meals already supplied. Under the terms of their agreements, vendors are expected to invoice the ministry weekly. Despite this, some report receiving no payment for services rendered since early April.

These vendors, who serve meals to as many as 40 students daily, say they have continued to absorb weekly operating costs, ranging from $700 to $1,200, out of pocket while awaiting compensation.

Director of Education Dominique McCartney-Russell acknowledged that while most April payments had been processed, there were two outstanding cases. As of May 9, she said, payments for New Providence vendors had been processed based on the documentation received.

According to McCartney-Russell, internal tracking confirmed that the delay was limited to two schools where necessary documentation had not yet been submitted.

However, vendors interviewed maintain that payments are overdue despite submitting the required invoices. Some vendors expressed frustration over recurring payment delays, even after compliance with invoicing procedures. Others voiced concerns about speaking publicly, fearing retaliation or the loss of their contracts.

One vendor disclosed that they had resorted to using personal credit to fund food supplies, calling the situation “unsustainable”. Another contrasted the current system with previous administrations, claiming that under former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, vendors were paid weekly without incident when documentation was submitted correctly.