Authorities at the Ministry of Finance have defended the payment of more than US$15 million made to several contractors including Solid Rock Investment.

The ministry in a statement issued Sunday said the payments to these contractors are legitimate; they are consistent with our PFM and PPCC laws and that they represent initial down payment on several road contracts that have begun all around the country.

"Consistent with the National Budget Act of 2012 and the Agenda for Transformation, the Government has decided to engage in massive road construction and reconstruction intended to improve accessibility and expand the economy," the statement said.

"The Ministry therefore wishes to further assure the general public that leaked documents in the hands of some media operatives could have been gotten through the Freedom of Information Act or the Open Budget Initiative rather than having some irresponsible employees surreptitiously give them out to media operatives as if they are state secrets," it added.

The Ministry further said that it encourages media colleagues to remain calm as nothing unethical, unprofessional, or diabolical have occurred regarding those specific payments or any payment in general.

The ministry said it remains committed to vigorously and vociferously protecting the public coffers while executing sound fiscal policies to enhance macro-economic growth and national development.