Jamaica defends $40M annual salary for NaRRA CEO

The Jamaican Government has defended the $40 million annual basic salary awarded to Major General (Retired) Antony Anderson, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA).

In a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), officials argued that the compensation is commensurate with the scale and complexity of the role. The OPM noted that the remuneration was internationally benchmarked and aligns with salaries for leaders of other major public bodies, such as the Port Authority of Jamaica and the National Housing Trust.

According to the OPM, the position includes a motor vehicle and a 25 per cent gratuity subject to performance, but does not include housing benefits. The salary structure was established by technical officers in the Transformation Implementation Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Public Service prior to recruitment.

NaRRA was established as an implementation agency to lead national reconstruction and resilience efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The agency's mandate includes managing significant infrastructure projects, coordinating across government entities, and engaging with international development partners.