Jamaica’s Integrity Commission (IC) has expressed concern over the growing use of non-competitive procurement by public bodies, revealing that more than 70 percent of government contracts awarded during the last financial year were issued through single-source or emergency procurement methods. The anti-corruption watchdog says the trend warrants closer scrutiny to safeguard transparency and accountability in public spending.
According to data released by the Commission, 34,398 contracts valued at approximately J$370.68 billion were awarded during the 2025–2026 financial year. Of that total, single-source and emergency contracts accounted for 70.5 percent of all awards, while restrictive bidding represented another significant share, accounting for 25 percent of contracts by number and 31 percent of their total value. Officials described these procurement methods as priority areas for ongoing oversight.
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The Commission also reported approximately J$3.4 billion in cost overruns, contract variations, and other price adjustments recorded during the period. Director of Investigations Kevon Stephenson noted that while emergency and sole-source procurement are permitted under Jamaica’s procurement laws in specific circumstances, excessive reliance on these methods can reduce competition, limit value for money and increase the risk of irregularities if not properly justified and monitored.
The findings come as Jamaica continues efforts to strengthen public sector governance and improve confidence in the management of taxpayer funds. The Integrity Commission said it will continue monitoring procurement practices across government entities and is encouraging greater adherence to competitive bidding procedures wherever practical to promote fairness, transparency and efficient use of public resources.
