*****The OFFICIAL Corruption Thread*****

[UML]

Leave dem leddem feel ppl chupid when is only dem dat chupid nah!!!

[rspann]

I now see am article in the guardián ,eight interchanges,seven bridges five overpasses,six underpasses,ten box culverts,226 structures in all to be built along the route.
,

[UML]

Nah Merica doing dat for $100

[Chimera]

Why tuner app only allowing one upload

[eliteauto]

Spending Spree
Audit finds company exposed to criminal probes, litigations, penalties

Failure by the corporate com­mu­ni­cations depart­ment of the National Gas Company (NGC)to ade­quate­ly account for how its budget ballooned from $67 million in 2012 to almost $200 million in 2014 has potentially left the management and board “exposed to criminal and integrity probes, litigations, penalties, fines and reputa­tional damage”.

That was the conclusion of an audit conducted into just one depart­­ment of the country’s most profi­table State company in Novem­ber 2014.

In 2013, NGC recorded a profit after tax of $6.5 billion for its finan­cial year.

The company’s internal audit team for this report, which was obtained by the Sunday Express, included internal audit manager Rabin­dranath Lakhan, its head, Financial & Compliance Audit Marina Dukhedin-Lalla, senior auditor Wendy Murray-Thomas and auditor Rebecca Procope.

The corporate communications department (CorpCom) is respon­sible for sponsorships, donations and any community-related activity in which NGC invests.

The audit revealed weak inter­nal controls “resulting in the con­ceal­ment (deliberate or other­wise) of the true extent of the company’s expenditure, obligations and com­mitments”, and there was evi­dence of CorpCom management’s “non-compliance with standard and requisite requirements”.

“No information was provided on the approval for the increase from eight recreational facilities to 23 although budgetary and costs reporting protocols require full disclosure. Such arbitrary and inconsistent management reporting practices distort the outcomes of the company’s analyses of CorpCom’s expenditures; value for money received; and cost behaviours rele­vant to its planning, budgetary, forecasting activities. Such practices are also indicators of fraud and/or gross negligence,” the audit noted.

Among NGC’s communications expenses were:


1. In 2012, the budget for Econo­mic & Communities was $21.7 million. The budget increased by 114 per cent to $83.6 million in 2014.

2. Donations moved from $2.3 million in 2012 to $9.13 million in 2014, an overall increase of 515 per cent.

3. In 2012 and 2013, the company spent no money on reputation and branding. But by 2014, $20.4 million was spent under the category Repu­tation and Branding.

4. In 2012, NGC spent $8.4 million in advertisements. By 2014, there was an 80 per cent increase to $20 million.

5. The NGC went from spending $2.4 million in a category External Communication-Gas Facts to $4.5 million in 2014.

6. In 2012 and 2013, there was no category of spending for Corporate Social Responsibility. In 2014, $9.5 million was spent.

7. In 2012 and 2013, there was no category of spending for Environ­mental & Greening. In 2014, $3.2 million was spent.


“The audit team reviewed similar expenditures from 2012 to 2014”, and it “showed that costs of these projects have escalated by 50-114 per cent,” the report stated.

“Manager CorpCom (Charmaine Mohammed), in response to audit queries, stated that the increases were due to inflation. However, statistical data provided on the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago’s website relating to inflation showed an average rate of seven per cent under review. Additionally, some in­creases were made when other bu­siness activi­ties within NGC were required to reduce budgets and actual expen­di­ture in 2013, that is, by memo dated January 11, 2013, staff train­ing and conferences, seminars and workshops reduce by 30 per cent and 25 per cent respectively,” it noted.

“CorpCom’s management has not provided any evidence to substantiate the reasonableness of the costs of community-related projects, monies expended on said projects, nor any evidence that value for money was received,” it noted.


Audit Conclusions


“Audit has concluded that CorpCom’s management of risk may be incomplete (based on lack of detailed information provided to Audit on risk management activities) and may expose the organisation to risks such as corrupt procurement practices, invalid transactions, poor quality works, lack of transparency, false advertisements and disclosures, potential conflict of interests which can result in a breach of public trust,” the audit said.

“CorpCom’s lack of records to support its risk management of community-related projects that are impacted by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, can be viewed as breaches of the legislations, especially as NGC’s published Free­dom of Information Act (FOIA) statement indicates that the com­pany maintains these records.”

It added: “If the underlying records to support this declaration are proven to be non-existent then the declaration will be assessed as a false declaration which can result in charges of criminal negligence against management and directors,” the audit warned.

“There is also evidence and/or red flags or materialising risks within CorpCom’s procurement and contracting activities for community related costs. CorpCom’s approved budget 2014 included a list of ten recreational facilities under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme. On review of 2014 June, CorpCom’s Management report showed that works were committed for fifteen (15) and another eight (8) are under consideration for 2014. Assurance cannot be provided that CorpCom’s activities are compliant or that they create value for monies expended,” the audit said.


The audit also noted that insufficient infor­mation was provi­ded by CorpCom to ensure compliance with legal and regula­tory require­ments as well as NGC’s procurement rules.

“Hence, assurance cannot be provided that the sums allocated within CorpCom’s budget for community-related pro­jects, donations, spon­sorships and adver­tise­ments were utilised in a manner that resulted in the company receiving value for money (best combination of price and quality, and acceptable time frame),” it said.

“The lack of reliable records and major varia­tions observed between Legal Services and CorpCom’s informa­tion on MOUs, contracts and valuations for com­munity projects, are clear indicators that neither the company nor CorpCom’s man­age­ment has established a formalised process for the execu­tion, assign­ment of respon­sibility, moni­toring, performance evaluation and reporting of all agreements/MOUs and contracts exe­cu­ted, most of which are valued (more than) TT$2 million. Hence at no time is the com­pany aware of or able to assess the entire popu­la­tion of MOUs and other agreements, their related commitments and obligations (financial and legal/regulatory), be it by a deliberate lack of transparency and dis­clo­sure or by manage­ment’s negli­gence,” it said.

Following the submis­sion of the audit for sign-off, the Sunday Express understands that one auditor has since been reassigned to another NGC subsidiary.

Last week, the NGC advertised for two audi­tors.

All-Inclusive Fetes


Last week, the Sun­day Express reported that over $1 million was spent on tickets to all-inclusive fetes by the NGC for Carnival 2015.

The NGC bought 1069 tickets at a cost of $1,073,497.80.

The company spent $352,000 on 220 $1,600 tickets for the South Cancer Support Group, which took place on January 31.

But while 130 tick­ets were assigned to the Corporate Commu­nications staff, 245 were assigned to the man­ager of corporate com-

munications. (See table above).

The Sunday Express was unable to get a response from Moham­med on why she was assigned that quantum of tickets and who were the recipients of those tickets.


No response

from NGC


On February 20, the Sunday Express sent a list of questions to NGC’s vice-president of human and corporate relations, Cassandra Patrovani-Sylvester with regard to the audit.

At that time, Patro­vani-Sylvester replied and copied the e-mail to NGC’s president, Indar Maharaj, and committed to providing a response on February 23 because Maharaj was due to travel.

The e-mail said: “I confirm receipt of your email and the questions contained within which have been referred to the president, NGC.

A response will be forthcoming no later

than Monday, February 23, 2014, as the presi­dent is due to travel.”

However, the Sunday Express did not receive any response to the questions it submitted on the date.

Last Friday, the Sun­day Express sent another e-mail and copied man­ager of corporate commu­nica­tions Char­maine Mohammed, seeking answers to the questions, which were overdue by a week.

Patrovani-Sylvester responded by sending the e-mail again to Mo­ham­med, with the note:

“Charmaine, good morning.

Ms Javeed’s e-mail is self-explanatory.

I gave a commitment following conversation with the president for a response by Monday, 23 February, 2015.

Your attention to this matter would be appreciated.”

However, the Sunday Express received up to yesterday.

Telephone calls and text messages were also sent to Mohammed seeking a response.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Spe ... 32571.html

[eliteauto]

Expensive ‘happiness’ at NGC

Part 2 of an investigation into the
operations of National Gas Company (NGC)

When it comes to reputation and branding, National Gas Company (NGC) has principally tasked that job to Ross Advertising Ltd.
In 2012 and 2013, there was no provision for the expenditure in the company’s corporate communications budget.
But in 2014 the sum spent on reputation and branding was $20.4 million, principally on its “Happiness” campaign, which is managed by Earnie Ross.
According to an internal audit into the operations of the company’s corporate communications department, “Policies, procedures, and guidelines specific to the operations of the Reputation and Brands unit were not provided by the Process Owner for audit review”, while draft policies and plans “indicated a level of ambiguity and overlapping of responsibilities and authorities”.
On January 30, 2015, the NGC board, chaired by Roop Chan Chadeesingh, selected four advertising agencies as “preferred suppliers” to provide brand and communications support and services.
The services were marketed to the NGC for $27,500,000, but the board approved the reduced cost of $15,470,000.
Of that sum, Ross will receive the lion’s share of $8,605,000.
Ross will receive an additional $2 million for the Happiness Campaign, $2 million for a “Visitors’ Centre Couva Interchange”, and $1.5 million for the company’s proposed initial public offering (IPO) of Phoenix Park Gas Processors, among others. The Happiness Campaign revolves around the tagline, “If happiness were a sound what would it be”, with the letters “pp” in happiness being underlined.
Independent Senator Helen Drayton, who spent 24 years at RBTT in marketing and communications, raised the issue in her column in the Guardian newspaper on January 25, stating that it “could be misconstrued as subliminal political advertising ostensibly designed to convey a corporate identity by focusing people on happiness”.
“The designers of the ad attempted to link the letters ‘pp’ with the positive emotion of happiness. Perceptually, the arc used the way it is in the advertisement is symbolical of the familiar smiley button, the letters pp are associated with the words people and partnership,” she said.
“Are we to believe the arc is innocent playfulness on these letters? Is this politically neutral branding? Is it just a campaign to encourage people to think about what makes them happy? Is this a necessary service to the country? It is profligate spending at its worst. It is the epitome of visual masking. Could there be innocence in spending public monies on deceitful political party branding?” Drayton had questioned.
When the Express asked Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine whether he felt comfortable that a state enterprise under his watch was engaged in what could be perceived as subliminal advertising for a political party and what benefit he perceived the gas company could derive from spending millions on that campaign, he responded: “I don’t get involved in the day-to-day managerial affairs of the NGC, neither do I micro-manage the company. Issues related to this matter should be directed to the NGC.”
However, questions sent by the Express to NGC as to who came up with the “happiness” campaign and what value the company has received for the money it has spent, remain unanswered up to yesterday.
Instead, the NGC published advertisements in the daily newspapers titled “Investing in a Nation’s Prosperity and Happiness”, which listed all the organisations the company had invested in and how it has spent some of its $3.3 billion wealth (according to its 2013 financials).
The Sunday Express yesterday published the audit into the corporate communications department of National Gas Company (NGC), the arm of the country’s most profitable state company responsible for sponsorships, donations and any community-related activity.
The internal audit revealed that the communications costs of the company had ballooned from $67 million to almost $200 million in 2014 and warned that the company could be “exposed to criminal and integrity probes, litigations, penalties, fines and reputational damage” given the lack of internal controls and supporting documents to justify the expenditure.
Tomorrow: Part 3

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Exp ... 95881.html

[djaggs]

8 interchanges

27 new bridges

14 new ramps.......


Sheep will be sheep yes......

[pete]

http://www-pam.usc.edu/volume2/v2i1a3s2.html

Comparing apples to oranges, at least it's not $1B USD / mile.

[djaggs]

My 80 + year old aunt fell down and broke her hip yesterday. My wife took her into casualty yesterday. They dont have the medical supplies needed to put her into traction. We were given a prescription to go and buy it outside and bring it for them.........but.............7Bn for a HWY.......no probs..............

[kjaglal76v2]

men campaigning hard

[Redman]

Well if I buy land and build a house -the all in cost is what Im on the hook for.

However the accounting for the hway is done when it opens the taxpayer would have paid 7B

I support the highway
I cant support graft and wastage.

[Dizzy28]

My 80 + year old aunt fell down and broke her hip yesterday. My wife took her into casualty yesterday. They dont have the medical supplies needed to put her into traction. We were given a prescription to go and buy it outside and bring it for them.........but.............7Bn for a HWY.......no probs..............

Dunno though....
My father suffered a heart attack on Jan 30th. We carried him into Mt Hope, he was dealt with promptly at A+E, got an angiogram 4 days later and then warded for two weeks, discharged for one week and received a Triple CABG surgery last week Tuesday. Of all the medicine needed for his whole stay we only had to purchase 1-2 medicines that the Dispensary at Mt Hope didn't have.
We also only did the Echocardiogram and one blood test privately as we found Mt Hope was cutting it close between those tests and the actual surgery and we preferred to have them done a few days before for the cardiologist to review.

Based on my experience I would not rank health care poorly as you have though.

[rspann]

Allyuh talking about sheep? That quotation was in 2004 prices for 20 miles hoss ,do better than that nah.

[rspann]

Also, is not the PP design ,and set up tenders for the highway, it was done under the PNM and only the contract was signed under the PP. Note well I have said before ,I am not PP I am a strong PNM which can be verified easily, but because I am PNM I can't correct misinformation? You sir are the sheep,if you can't give this government credit for what it does good,but can criticise them when tthey do sheit.

[eliteauto]

VP BITES THE DUST
Energy Minister appoints committee to probe allegations

Tension at the National Gas Company (NGC) following an expose by the Express on the State enterpri­se’s spending spree has led to the dis­missal of the company’s vice-presi­dent of human and corporate rela­tions —Cassandra Patrovani-Sylvester—and a realignment of its manage­ment structure.

Last Friday, the company’s secu­rity also seized all computers from its corporate communications depart­ment but returned them on Monday, sources told the Express.

About two weeks ago, the Express began an investigative series into the operations of NGC. During publication of the series which started on Sunday, March 1, concerned employees said NGC was trying to determine how sensitive information was leaked and made its way to the press.

However, the company’s president, Indar Maharaj, and its commu­nications manager, Charmaine Mohammed, have both denied equip­ment was seized or Patrovani-Sylvester had been fired.

Maharaj, in response to a text from the Express on the seizure of the equipment on Monday, said: “The company has not seized any one computer. We are doing a secu­rity audit of our systems and ALL departments are involved in this exercise.”

Mohammed, in response to an e-mailed query on the matter on Monday night, stated: “The Compa­ny has not seized any computers from the Corporate Communications Division. The Company is engaged in a security audit of its systems and ALL Departments are included in this exercise.”

When asked whether Patrovani-Sylvester has been fired, Mohammed responded, “No.”

The Express however understands Patrovani-Sylvester’s post has been made redundant and this was communicated to her at a meeting on Monday.

In a memo sent to all staff yesterday, NGC’s acting president, Maria Thorne, stated: “I wish to advise that with effect from March 10, 2015, Mrs Cassandra Patrovani-Sylvester is no longer in the employ of the company.

“Kindly note that Mrs Carol Sylvester-London will act as manager, human resources until further notice and both the manager, human resources and manager, corporate communications will report directly to the president.”

According to NGC’s website, Patrovani-Sylvester joined NGC in January 2013 after having worked at British American Tobacco (Caribbean and Central America) and at One Caribbean Media Ltd (OCM).

On Tuesday, the company said in a statement it was “referring this matter” to the police and despite several attempts yesterday, the Express has been unable to get clarification on exactly what the company had “referred” to the police.

NGC went to the police after an article published in Monday’s Express, which quoted from an e-mail from its former chief audit executive,

Claire Gomez-Miller, who accused the State company of “compromi­sing the reputation and work of its own audit team”.

Gomez-Miller had also expressed concern for the safety of the audit team, which included its head, finan-

­cial and compliance audit, Marina Dukhedin-Lalla; senior auditor Wendy Murray-Thomas; and auditor Rebecca Procope.

The team had produced a draft audit report, which was published as part of an investigative series by the Sunday Express. The report raised concern about how its communications budget had ballooned from $67 million to $200 million, the exposure to the company and its management because of lack of proper documents and internal controls and whether the NGC was getting value for money.

The Sunday Express this week published a map that reveals NGC has contributed almost $95 million to groups and organisations on an electoral constituency basis.

Based on the map produced by the NGC, constituencies currently held by the governing United National Congress (UNC) have received the lion’s share of NGC donations while Opposition constituencies have received far less.




Patrovani-Sylvester: Eye-opening experience


Asked to comment on her exit from the company, Patrovani-Sylves­ter texted yesterday: “The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd is the

energy jewel of this country and by extension the Caribbean. My experience at NGC has been an eye-opening one.

“As an ordinary citizen, I have come to realise how ignorant I was about how things really work in our national and economic landscape. I am pleased that a decision has been taken to look into the leadership and management of the NGC. I am closely following the developments as things unfold and know that the people whose hearts are connected to NGC will embrace it at this time.

“My decision to join NGC was a

career one, but life throws us curve balls sometimes. I know I have left a strong and positive impact and my faith in the outcome remains strong.”

She added: “My decision to join NGC

was a career one and an opportunity to contribute to my country in a meaningful way. Life throws us curve balls along the way and it is my hope that I will be able to contribute at some other time should the opportunity arise.”

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/VP- ... witterfeed

[Habit7]

T&TEC rules flouted for ex-AG

By Aniks Gumbs CCN Senior Multimedia Investigate Journalist

Story Created: Mar 15, 2015 at 10:42 PM ECT

Story Updated: Mar 15, 2015 at 10:42 PM ECT 



FORMER attorney general Anand Ramlogan is among selected customers who benefitted from the hefty reduction of major contracting fees at debt-ridden State-owned Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC). Only last year it was revealed that T&TEC is running a deficit of some $1 billion per annum because of old equipment. But, according to Ramlogan, the revised sum of $247,253.86 from the original $642,999.84 was what T&TEC officials advised him to pay for the relocation of high tension wires sloping over a vacant parcel of land at Estate Drive, Phillipine. T&TEC officials told the Express that the high tension wires (66,000 volts) needed to be relocated before construction could commence on the land. The job, which involves the diversion of the Penal-Phillipine 66 KV circuit, was originally estimated at $642,999.84. And attempts by the Express to get answers from Ramlogan as to how the fee was revised have not been forthcoming. Ramlogan has also refused to say why T&TEC, in a letter dated December 11, 2014, wrote to Azad Mohammed and not him advising of the revised sum of $247,253.86. The December 11 letter lists Mohammed’s address as #19 Lazzari Trace, Block Two, Palmiste. Express investigations revealed that the Lazzari Trace address matches that of a townhouse situated next to the one Ramlogan occupies at Palm Villas, Palmiste while his nearby private residence undergoes renovation. Mohammed has also not responded to telephone calls and text messages sent to him by the Express seeking clarification on his involvement in the T&TEC transaction. Investigations revealed that the $247,253.86 payment was made for Ramlogan on January 1, 2015, exactly one month before he was fired in light of witness-tampering allegations involving Police Complaints Authority director David West. Questions as to how Freedom Law Chambers came in possession of the December 11 letter and ended up faxing it to T&TEC the same day the $247,253.86 payment for the job was made were also not answered by Ramlogan. Ramlogan, who once headed Freedom Law Chambers, is on record as saying that he handed the firm to his legal partner Cindy Bhagwandeen when he was appointed AG in 2010. So why was Freedom Law Chambers involved in a transaction with Ramlogan while he was AG? Ramlogan would not say Asked by the Express on February 27 to explain the involvement of Mohammed and Freedom Law Chambers in the T&TEC transaction, Ramlogan via a text message replied: “These questions should be addressed to T&TEC which is in possession of the relevant facts including the payments I was advised to make relative to this issue.” Investigations revealed that the major contracting fees were initially calculated based on the scope of the job, which includes the installation of eight 21-metre poles, two 12-metre poles and the transferring of conductors. The job also includes the removal of three 17-metre poles and fittings. According to the manager transmission maintenance Chrisalston Belle, development of infrastructure in the area was the reason for the revised fee. In the December 11 letter, Belle wrote: “The civil infrastructure within the area was developed after our initial survey, thus creating additional options for installation of our infrastructure. As a result the Commission revised its design and the new costs for the relocation is $247,253.86 plus Value Added Tax. This cost is valid for three months from the date of this letter and must be paid before the job is scheduled.” Ramsook misleads However, T&TEC general manager Kelvin Ramsook told the Express that the revised fee was based on an e-mail directive he gave on September 22, 2011. At the time Ramsook issued the e-mail regarding the revised fees for major contracting jobs he had no authority to do so. In fact, the general manger at the time was Glenford Cyrille who had the sole authority to revise the T&TEC general instruction regarding fees for major contracting jobs. Investigations revealed that at the time of the September 22 e-mail , Ramsook held the substantive post of assistant general manager distribution. Ramsook later replaced Cyrille. Ramsook sent a copy of a September 22, 2011 e-mail to the Express in what he claimed was a directive for the revised fees. Investigations revealed that the e-mail was not sent to Cyrille, who held the post of general manager from May 1, 2011 to November 18, 2011. The e-mail read: “Please be reminded that all requests for pole relocation or property that belongs to T&TEC, the actual cost to do the job must be charged to the customer with no add on 50 per cent. The 50 per cent add on is when we do work installation that do not belong to the Commission i.e. when we work as a contractor to the company making request for the service. “Example: Ministry of Works relocation of poles jobs should have no mark up 50 per cent increase as well as labour.” The September 22 e-mail was sent to the following area managers: Zainool Mohammed, Felix Alleyne, Rene Austin, Anthony McIntosh and Alvin Ramsaran. Further investigations, however, revealed that Ramsook’s directive was issued to the heads of distribution and not to the transmission department at T&TEC that is responsible for the job at Estate Drive, Phillipine. Pole relocation forms a subset of major contracting at T&TEC and can either be done by the distribution or transmission departments. However, the distribution department deals with pole relocation that carries voltages less than 33,000 volts, while the transmission department handles voltages above that. Further probing revealed that at the time of Ramsook’s directive the five area managers were assigned to the following district distribution departments: Mohammed (Central) Alleyne (Eastern) Austin (Southern) McIntosh (Tobago) Ramsaran (Northern) Neither Ramsook nor any of the five area managers had the authority to revise the major contracting fees. The job at Estate Drive, Phillipine falls under the transmission department that has no new general instruction to revise fees for major contracting jobs. Official documents obtained by the Express also revealed that three weeks ago, copies of the files containing the revised fees given to several companies were removed from the transmission department. Perusal of the documents by the Express, however, showed that the directive to revise the fees listed at the bottom of each job scope was inked off with a black marker. Fees flouted based on 2011 e-mail Asked why was the directive inked off from the various job scopes if the September 22 e-mail was legitimate, Ramsook said: “The directive was given since 2011.” Explaining that T&TEC is involved in two types of major contracting, Ramsook said: “There are jobs where T&TEC works as a private contractor and charges the 50 per cent. If a normal pole relocation has to be done where T&TEC may have had poles on the premises of someone and for some reason the poles need to be relocated a request needs to made. When the request is made T&TEC charges the actual cost and an administrative cost.” Told that the e-mail is in contrast to the general instruction of T&TEC for major contracting jobs, Ramsook said: “We have been reviewing our general instruction which is done by the general manager, so from time to time this was one that required clarification.” Asked to explain why Mohammed was involved in Ramlogan’s transaction at T&TEC, Ramsook said: “You may probably have contractors acting on behalf of clients and they make representation for the relocation of the poles. “We ask for ownership documents for connection purposes. A contractor may make a request on behalf of a client. First of all, I am not confirming what you’re saying. “I have correspondence from Mr Azad Mohammed. I recall that situation so I can only confirm for Azad Mohammed.” As to whether T&TEC was only in possession of documentation from Mohammed and not Ramlogan, Ramsook said: “Hold on, from the information I have it is Azad Mohammed who made the request for the relocation of the said job. There may be other documentation, but I have to check.” Told that T&TEC received payment for the Estate Drive, Phillipine job on January, 14, 2015, Ramsook said: “Well, you have it before you, Ma’am, so let us move on.” Asked if T&TEC contacted Ramlogan, he said. “Remember you are in the media. I gave you the information about Mr Azad Mohammed. I would have really like to leave it there.” What T&TEC general instruction states According to the T&TEC general instruction (NO: FA03/1208), estimates for major contracting jobs are to be billed as followed: *Labour utilising the man hour rate plus 50 per cent *Materials from stock at stock list price plus 50 per cent *Outside purchases at the cost plus10 per cent *Transport costs utilising the mileage rate n About the investigation list of some of the jobs that benefitted from Ramsook’s directive: *Removal of down guys on the CNC-Savonetta 66KV circuit; *Diversion of the Lady Hailes-Harmony Hall and the Lady Hailes-Gulf View 66 KV circuits for the Water and Sewerage Authority to construct a sewerage treatment plant; * De-energise, isolate and earth the North Oropouche-Wallerfield 66KV circuit on multiple days for the construction of a bridge at Valencia by the National Infrastructure Development Company; * Diversion of the Penal-Phillipine 66KV circuit; and *Diversion of the Bamboo-Macoya/ Trincity 66 KV

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/TTE ... 92691.html

[rfari]

And you eh go think that anan wasn't a bigtime lawyer and work a four years as ag and shoulda have money to handle dem thing eh.

[cornfused]

By Ria Taitt Political Editor
Story Created: Mar 16, 2015 at 10:35 PM ECT
Story Updated: Mar 16, 2015 at 10:35 PM ECT
The Ministry of the Attorney General paid some $353.7 million to attorneys and other consultants between June 2010 and October 2014.

Out of this amount, Charles Russell was paid approximately $19.1 million for legal advice arising out of the cancellation of the OPV (offshore patrol vessel) contract in 2010.

And Alan Newman QC was paid $2.4 million for advice relating to the repeal of the controversial Section 34 clause.

This forms part of the information provided in a written response last Friday to a question on the Order Paper of the House of Representatives on the payment of legal and other technical/professional services made to persons and entities by the Ministry of the Attorney General for the period June 2010 to October 31, 2014.

The question was filed by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley.

According to the information provided by the Attorney General, some $353,734,622.38 was paid, with the largest payment being made to British law firm Charles Russell, which received $63,181,472.

The second highest fees were paid to accounting firm Ernst and Young—$26,415,744 and Alix Partners, a foreign-based global business advisory firm, which received $20,090,020.

Jamaican attorney Vincent Nelson (who replaced Fyard Hosein as the lead counsel for the Ministry of Finance in the CLICO Enquiry) received $20,400,544, while British QC Alan Newman was paid $14,474,613.54 and Barbados-based Guyana-born attorney Fenton Ramsahoye received $9,969,080.


*Among the local legal fraternity, the highest sum was paid to Gerald Ramdeen, who has figured in the “Prisongate” affair as well as in the current controversy involving the location of judiciary files in his office. He received $15,541,423.

*Second in line was Israel Khan SC, who benefitted from legal briefs under the tenure of former attorney general John Jeremie, but who now serves as the Prime Minister’s lead attorney in the emailgate matter. He was paid $11,660,800.

*Third in line is Avory Sinanan SC, who received $10,406,925.

*Law Association president Seenath Jairam SC, who received $9,850,210, is next in line.

* Coming closely behind were Kelvin Ramkissoon, who was paid $9,723,399, and the late Dana Seetahal, who received $9,294,500 during the same period.

*Russell Martineau SC, who received $8,834,875, and Pamela Elder SC, who was paid $7,831,500, are next major beneficiaries.

*Completing the top ten list are Larry Lalla, who was paid $6,974,825, and Jagdeo Singh, who received $5,772,166.

Falling just outside that list is Wayne Sturge, the 11th-ranked attorney in terms of earnings from state briefs. Sturge received $3.1 million.

The top ten attorneys who benefitted from State briefs earned among themselves $95.5 million.

Interestingly, among the ten top earners are four attorneys who are not yet members of the Inner Bar i.e. not yet senior counsel, whose combined earnings amounted to $37.2 million, while the six senior counsel received $58.2 million.

Senior counsel who fall outside of the top ten included Fyard Hosein, Gilbert Peterson, Martin Daly, Deborah Peake and Douglas Mendes.

Of the $1.8 million paid to Douglas Mendes, all payments were made in 2010, with one payment of $172,000 in 2012.

By contrast, the majority of payments, amounting to $9,8 million, to Jairam, who was elected Law Association president on June 30, 2012, were made in 2013.

On the other end of the scale, some of the smallest sums were paid to attorneys such as Fitzgerald Hinds, who was paid $11,000; David West $50,000; and Zainool Hosein $25,000.

The lowest sum on the list was $7,000 paid to Freedom Law Chambers, the chambers which was headed by former AG Anand Ramlogan prior to his assumption of political office.

And Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran was paid $1,064,260 for undertaking a “forensic/management audit into the sale of BWIA London Heathrow Slots to British Airways”.

Rambarran received two payments—the first was $195,000 on 13/9/2011 and the final payment of $868,620 on 4/7/2012.

He was appointed Central Bank Governor two weeks later, on July 17, 2012.

These figures do not include sums paid by the State Enterprise sector for legal work.

AFA, a firm owned by Guyana lawyer Ackbar Ali, received $6,097,348 for investigations into State Enterprises.

The information provided also showed that there were outstanding payments, including $1,150,000 to Pamela Elder and $1,750,000 to Tiger Capital Lite, both sums being for request for mutual legal assistance by the USA.

Elder is also owed $276,000 for the extradition of Amarnath Jagmohan.




n Some of the

payments include:

Avory Sinanan—$10,406,925

Alix Partners—$20,090.020.78

Alan Newman—$14,474,613.54

Charles Russell —$63,181,472.71

Christlyn Moore —$1,064,666.66

Daniel Solomon

Associates—$2,095,373

Donna Allison

Prowell—$2,833,075

Dana Seetahal—$9,294,500

Douglas Mendes—$1,844,600

Deborah Peake—$1,943,500

Elaine Green—$2,179,010

Ernst & Young—$26,415,744

Fyard Hosein—$1,552,500

Fenton Ramsahoye —$9,969,080

Gilbert Peterson—$2,798.000

Gerald Ramdeen—$15,541,423

Fitzgerald Hinds—$11,000

Israel Khan—$11,660,800

Jagdeo Singh—$5,772,166

James Lewis—$2,457,619

Jwala Rambarran—$1,064,260

Kelvin Ramkissoon —$9,723,399

Larry Lalla—$6,974,825

Lesley Ann Lucky Samaroo —$1,274,605

Martin George & Co—$1,902,508

Martin Daly—$2,514,423

Mustapha Ibrahim—$1,000,000

Mark Seepersad—$758,666

Om Lalla—$741,750

Pamela Elder—$7,831,500

Russell Martineau—$8,834,875

Shastri Roberts—$1,613,851

Seenath Jairam—$9,850,210

Timothy Cassel—$857,008 Vincent Nelson—$20,400,544

Zainool Hosein—$25,000

Wayne Sturge—$3,140,499

[cornfused]

Alarming sums maybe , but what was the procurement process to employ these services ?

[Numb3r4]

The amount of money spent and what? I'm sure you could've used some and improved healthcare.

They really need to get a handle on NGC before it becomes another Petrotrin.

[Rory Phoulorie]

This thread needs to be bumped.

[eliteauto]

MYSTERY TIGER
Company with no legal expertise awarded $1.7m contract under ex-AG’s office

The Office of the Attorney Gene­ral retained the services of a company with no legal expertise among its directors to give advice relating to mutual legal assistance by the United States of America. The company, Tiger Capital Ltd, was paid $1,750,000 on Novembe­r 18, 2014, for advice, despite having no legal expertise. The company’s directors are a building contractor, proprietor and financial consultant. Exactly what advice was sought and disseminated to the Central Authority of the Attorney General’s office remains a mystery since no one at the offices of the Attorney General or Central Authority seems to know the circumstances under which Tiger Capital Ltd was retained and how its fees were calculated. The authority falls under the purview of the Office of the Attorney General and works closely with regional and international foreign agencies in extradition requests, as well as assists with criminal cases (retrieving of documentation, etc). The authority is headed by attorney Netram Kowlessa­r. When contacted yesterday morning, sources at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, USA, told the Sunday Express they are not familiar with the company and have never received any request for information nor given any information to any entit­y in Trinidad and Tobago known as Tiger Capital Ltd. Stressing that all requests for information have always been made through the Central Authorit­y and vice versa, an official said, “Rest assured the Department of Justice would never provide confidential information to any entity which does not fall under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. There are strict guidelines which must be adhered to when requesting information and must be signed off by the head of the Central Authorit­y”. An official statement from the Department of Justice responding to e-mailed questions from the Sunday Express regarding Tiger Capital Ltd is expected to be given by next week. Details of what services were rendered and what cases or matters and the advice given remain unknown since only “Request for Mutual Assistance by the USA” was stated on the invoice submitted by Tiger Capital Ltd. Sources told the Sunday Express staff at the Attorney General’s office are also in the dark as to what services, if any, this company gave and who recommended Tiger Capital Ltd since the company is not known within the legal circles locally, regionally or internationally. Checks by the Sunday Express revealed that apart from the directors and secretary, the company is not staffed. Other questions being posed by staff include why is the Central Authority, a department within the Office of the Attorney General, granting briefs to an unknown entity when the authority is staffed with individuals versed in drafting documents for extradition and mutual assistance. Additionally, invoices show that Senior Counsel Pamela Elder was paid $1,150,000 on November 18, 2014. Elder’s invoice stated the fee was for “Request for mutual legal assistance by the USA dated 15/10/14”. Elder, according to invoices obtained by the Sunday Express, appeared in several extradition matters for the Central Authority. On April 8,2014, Elder was paid $546,250 for the extradition of Amarnath Jagmohan vs Attorney General and others. On November 26, 2014, Elder was paid $276,000 for the extradition of Jagmohan dated 05/06/14. Another attorney, Jagdeo Singh, also sought the authority’s interest in extradition matters. On January 17, 2014, Singh received $201,250 for appearing in the matter of Jason Anthony Nelson to the United Kingdom. He again received $201,250 on January 23, 2014, for that same matter and that same amount on March 8, 2014, for the extradition request of Desmond Davy. A firm called Walkers received $16,072.89 for mutual legal assistance. Checks by the Sunday Express at the Supreme Court in Port of Spain revealed Tiger Capital Ltd never appeared on behalf of the authority or Attorney General’s offic­e in any extradition matters. About Tiger Capital Ltd Checks by the Sunday Express with the Ministry of Legal Affairs’ Company Registry last Friday, showed Tiger Capital Ltd was registered on November 23, 2004, by attorney Rudyard Davidson. It was also stamped by the Registrar General’s Office on the same day and carries the company number T4365 (95) and is listed as a private company. Service­s provided by the company are not listed. On the November 22, 2004, application form, the company names financial services consultant Kenny Soodhoo and businesswoman Monique Pillai as directors. Under “Change of Directors”, on November 20, 2013, proprietor Winston Samuel Russell of Caledonia Road, Lange Park, Chaguanas, was appointed a director. On that same date, Pillai ceased “to hold office as director”. As of November 5, 2014, Soodhoo and Russell remained directors. On December 9, 2014, contractor Clement Nazim Ali, of Curepe, was appointed director. That same day, Russell “ceased to hold office”. Soodhoo was then appointed secretary. None of the past or present directors has a legal background. Efforts to contact all past and present directors were unsuccessful, as their phones were not in service. When the Sunday Express visi­ted the 16B McInroy Street, Curepe, address of Tiger Capital Ltd yesterday, there was an empty plot of land. Checks with residents in the area revealed that no one had ever heard of the business Tiger Capital Ltd being located at the given address. No comment from head of Central Authority and former attorney general Contacted for a comment last Friday afternoon, head of the Central Authority Netram Kowlessa­r was asked by the Sunday Express who recommended Tiger Capital Ltd to the authority? What were their qualifications and where the company operated. Kowlessar said, “Ma’am, I’m sorry, I would not be able to comment on that.” The Sunday Express continued its questioning and asked Kowlessar whether he was aware of this company. Kowlessar said yes. Has Tiger Capital Ltd ever been retained by the Central Authority and what mutual assistance did the company give the Central Authority? the Sunday Express asked. He said, “Firstly, I must let you know Central Authority’s work with respect to mutual assistanc­e is covered in a certain level of confidentiality and this is embedded in the treaty of the State between states we operate with. “So once there is something involving a mutual legal assistance request as such, the base of that level is a level of confidentiality which must be exercised. In these matters regarding documents and disclosures, we are prohibited from disclosing anything,” Kowlessar said. The Sunday Express persisted in its questioning, asking Kowlessar to justify the $1.7 million fee paid to Tiger Capital and what was the expertise of the company, but he refused to answer. Asked why the authority would seek advice on mutual assistance matters from a contractor, Kowlessar said nothing. Told that information received stated that he and then-attorney general Anand Ramlogan certified the invoice brought by Tiger Capital Ltd, Kowlessar said, “By confirming or denying any of the questions, on any information with mutual assistance, I cannot comment. Kindly respect what I do and what I can say and cannot say.” Ramlogan was also contacted last Friday afternoo­n and asked whether he was familiar with Tiger Capital Ltd. He said, “I can’t remember, but go ahead.” Asked how the company was chosen, Ramlogan asked that questions be e-mailed to him. The Sunday Express complied and e-mailed the following questions at 2.22 p.m. last Friday: 1. Are you familiar with the company Tiger Capital Ltd? 2. Are you familiar with the directors of Tiger Capital Ltd? 3. How was this firm selected to do work for the Office of the Attorney General and, by extension, the Central Authority during your tenure? 4. What exactly did this firm do while retained by the Central Authority to receive a $1,750,00 payment? 5. Does this firm have any legal experience? If so, kindly list the matters they have been involved in. Ramlogan responded at 12.53 p.m. yesterda­y: “As you are aware, the work of the central authority is extremely sensitive and confidentia­l as it involves work with internationa­l law enforcemen­t agencies and foreign government­s on complex cross-border criminal investigation­s. “Relevant expertise is contracted as and when necessary in consultation with other agencies in accordance with the established practice and procedure. The required expertise may vary with the facts, issues and subject matter of the relevant case and is hence not necessarily limited to legal expertise. “It would not be proper for me to comment on the work of the authority and I do not wish to prejudice any ongoing investigations. That is the prerogative of the Attorney General and the Head of the Central Authority.”

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/MYS ... 48301.html

[eliteauto]

State pays $1.75m 6 days after restart
Mystery company Tiger Capital inactive from 2009 to 2014...

Tiger Capital Ltd was inactive for five years before being hired by the Office of the Attorney General (AG) to give advice relating to mutual legal assistance by the United States of America.
The company only recently regularised its status, six days before receiving a $1,750,000 cheque from the Office of the AG and, by extension, the Central Authority.
At the time, attorney Anand Ramlogan was AG, while the Central Authority is headed by Netram Kowlessar.
Checks by the Express revealed that the company was incorporated on November 23, 2004. At the time of incorporation, the number of shares issued was 10,000, with a stated capital of $10,000.
Documents obtained from the Company Registry show that, from 2006-2009, there was little activity by the company.
Before 2014, the last stamped document from the registry was December 29, 2009.
From 2009-2014, no annual returns were filed.
On documents dated November 5, 2014, Tiger Capital Ltd filed outstanding annual returns for the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The documents were stamped November 12, 2014 by the Registrar General’s Department, which is the date the department would have received the outstanding returns.
Returns on active companies are supposed to be filed annually to the Companies Registry.
On November 18, 2014, Tiger Capital Ltd was paid by the Office of the AG for legal advice while, on December 9, the company filed its annual returns for 2014, according to registry documents.
Sources at the AG’s office told the Express that the cheque for Tiger Capital Ltd was already prepared before the company regularised its status.
And it was only when the inactive status was brought to the company’s attention that a rush was made to “get its business in order”.
The company’s directors are financial services consultant Kenny Soodhoo, building contractor Clement Nazim Ali and proprietor Winston Samuel Russell.
Questions have been raised on the retention of Tiger Capital Ltd since the company has no legal expertise and never did work for the Central Authority before.
The authority normally hires personnel with expertise to conduct enquiries since it requires interaction with national security agencies worldwide.
Soodhoo is no stranger to controversy
In 1997, under the United National Congress regime, he was employed as director at National Petroleum (NP) and was also the head of the Project Implementation Unit.
Prior to being employed at NP, Soodhoo was fired by State-owned First Citizens following a complex and controversial transaction.
In 1996, First Citizens Merchant Bank (FCMB) dismissed Soodhoo when questions over a loan transaction came into the public domain.
Soodhoo, who was the managing director at FCMB, was axed following suggestions that he had negotiated a US$1.8 million deal with the Gillette brothers (Peter and Ian) to perform favours for them through the bank.
The Gillettes were once financiers of the United National Congress.

Former AG and Soodhoo
Former attorney general Anand Ramlogan was retained by financial consultant Kenny Soodhoo to appear in a civil High Court matter in 2007.
Soodhoo is one of the directors at Tiger Capital Ltd which received a $1,750,000 payment from the Office of the Attorney General to give advice relating to mutual legal assistance by the United States of America.
The monies were paid to the company on November 18, 2014.
Under question is what advice the company gave to the Office of the AG and, by extension, the Central Authority.
The company’s listed address is 16B McInroy Street, Curepe. However, when the Express visited the address last Saturday there was an empty plot of land.
Following concerns raised over the lack of legal expertise the company has, the Express e-mailed Ramlogan seeking clarification on Tiger Capital Ltd last Friday.
One question was whether he (Ramlogan) was familiar with the directors of Tiger Capital Ltd.
Ramlogan responded, “As you are aware, the work of the Central Authority is extremely sensitive and confidential as it involves work with international law enforcement agencies and foreign governments on complex cross-border criminal investigations.
“Relevant expertise is contracted as and when necessary in consultation with other agencies in accordance with the established practice and procedure. The required expertise may vary with the facts, issues and subject matter of the relevant case and is hence not necessarily limited to legal expertise.
“It would not be proper for me to comment on the work of the authority and I do not wish to prejudice any ongoing investigations. That is the prerogative of the Attorney General and the head of the Central Authority.”
However, Ramlogan admitted to the Express that he is aware of the company. He did not answer the question as to whether he knew the directors.
According to court records obtained by the Express, Claim No: CV 2007-01678, Soodhoo had sued Epitome Lodging, Gourmet Enterprises Ltd, Landform Ltd, Anthony Pinto and Hugh Thomas.
There was a preliminary issue involving an application for the extension of time to file witness statements by the defendants.
Court documents show that Ramlogan appeared in court on April 17, 2008, October 21, 2008, April 6, 2009 and June 24, 2009.
The matter was heard before Justice Andre des Vignes in the Port of Spain High Court.
Efforts to get a comment from Ramlogan and Kowlessar yesterday were unsuccessful.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Sta ... 96301.html

[eliteauto]

PROBE ANAND’S LEGAL BRIEFS
Ramlogan: False and totally baseless

[quote]The Police Service and Inte­grity Commission are being called on to launch an investigation into the Office of the Attorney General, which has spent millions on the retention of attorneys in private practice since 2010.

Former attorneys general (AGs) John Jeremie SC and Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC hosted a joint media brief­ing at the Radisson Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, yesterday morning, expressing concern over the spending of legal fees and calling for a forensic probe to take place.

Asked whether the police should also investigate whe­ther “kick-backs” were paid, Maharaj said, “If during the investigations, the police can find that some of the monies paid to some lawyers, or some of the money paid was given back, too, or used as conditions, that is a serious offence.

“If it is prima facie...if this sum is not reasonable, I think the public is entitled to know and would want to be satisfied”, he said.

Jeremie said as a former AG, he became distressed at the $300 milli­on-plus legal bill the AG’s office has raked in for the past four years under then AG Anand Ramlogan.

Jeremie referenced a state ment made by Ramlo­gan on September 22, 2010, at the opening of the law term, in which Ramlogan told the media, “I don’t know if Dr Rowley expects me to hire my enemies. What am I to do, hire people who are not my friends? I have a lot of friends in the legal profession and I

tend to rely on them for inde­pen­dent, impartial, reliable and compe­tent legal advice, and I make no apologies for that.”

Ramlogan had made the statement after concerns were raised by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley that he was only retaining his friends to represent the State in court matters and exorbitant monies in legal briefs were being paid.

Jeremie said the ability of the AG to spend monies freely “is virtually unchecked since there is no legislation in place to monitor spending.

“No one can tell him which lawyer to select to do what,” Jeremie said.

Describing the operations and expenditure of the Office of the AG under Ramlogan as being nothing short of “scandalous, disrespectful and damaging to the dispensation of justice in our nation”, Jere­mie said the multimillion-dollar legal bill racked up by the State “is devoid of legal pru­dence and fiscal intelligence”.

Adding he received no joy as a former AG to be addressing such a matter, he said as a nation of laws founded on the principles set forth in the Constitution, “our Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

“The powers to actually spend money without oversight...with this great power comes great responsibility, great discipline, great discretion and great integrity.

“The trust given to the AG by our legislative arrangements must not be abused and cannot be seen to be abused.”

Jeremie said from the doc­umentation which he has seen, it appears vast sums of taxpayers’ money were “spent for work that appears not to have been real work at all, or work paid for at a level that is not commensurate with real economic market rates. Even when allowances are made, it appears that State work seems to be better numerated than private sector work”.

Adding when he demitted office in 2010, his budget for attorneys in private practice being retained by the State never reached any exorbi­tant figure, Jeremie said in 2008, his budget was $37 million and $40 million in 2009.

Comparing the figures with that under the tenure of Ram­logan, Jeremie said in 2010, the fees moved from $36 million to over $78 million.

“In 2012, the $78 million jumped again to $104 million. Where I had been paying roughly $36 million a year for several years, by 2015, that figure had increased from $104 million to $130 million,” Jeremie said.

“Not only were the fees payable to attorneys increa­sing at an alarming rate, but the percentage of fees as against the total budget allocation increased overnight in 2010, from 25 to 40 per cent in 2011,” he said.

Jeremie also questioned the legal work done by seve­ral of the attorneys and the fees charged.

He said in most cases, the court matters and probe fees were paid and nothing happened.

“Fees were charged and paid for the investigation into Scarborough General Hospital and it has not seen the light of day. Investigations into the Housing Development Corpora­tion (HDC), a report was made which merely repeated the findings of the Uff commission of enquiry,” Jeremie said.

Jeremie also said he was concerned about simple mat-

ters being briefed by the State.

Using the matter involving advice being given on the exemption of taxes on the purchase of vehicles and reported fees of Tiger Capital Ltd, Jeremie said there can be no justification for such expense.

“At times, it is confusing; the money is exposing regular patterns of expenditure, regrettably though, it disclo­ses a prima facie evidence of financial impropriety,” Jeremie added.

Maharaj endorsed the statements made by Jeremie and described the Office of the AG as an important one.

“The holder of this office performs an important constitutional function and is also the guardian of the public interest

“When there were serious allega­tions and no action is taken by the Prime Minister to address the wrongs, the office and Govern­ment are brought into disrepute,” Maharaj said.[quote]
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/PRO ... 67681.html

[RASC]

Close to 400million right?

[eliteauto]

money well spent, look at how much they have recovered in all the corruption cases they won in court


they have made good on all the accusations made in 2010 right?

[Redman]

LAst year A friend recently called to the bar told me that there are juniors in his cohort that are invoicing the AG office for amounts that equate to them working more hours than possible for 30 days every month.
No lunch
no commute
no tootsing.

And its prevailant based on who know you in the AG office.

[Numb3r4]

Doesn't say much for the AG or the crop of lawyers in our legal system.

[rfari]

Holding on for UML while she attends to matters of State. All protocol observed

MILLION$ MI$$ING
By Andre Bagoo Sunday, March 29 2015

click on pic to zoom in

MULTI-million-dollar discrepancies have been identified in the books of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) for the years 2003 to 2008, according to long-awaited reports done by the Auditor General this year which were submitted to the Parliament last week

.Sealed reports, tabled in the Senate on Tuesday and then in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, state that in addition to there being mis-matches, weaknesses continue to exist in the internal control system of the intelligence agency.

The SSA was established by an act of Parliament on October 4, 1995, under the PNM. Under the Strategic Services Agency Act, which was later amended in 1997, the main functions of the agency are to: “act as an office for centralising information that could facilitate the detection and prevention of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs.”

Crucially, the act stipulates that the agency is to “provide intelligence and analytical support for the appropriate operational and intelligence arms of the appropriate services”. The SSA is also to “provide a nucleus of specialist intelligence personnel who are able to advise and assist investigating officers concerning operational priorities and deployment of resources.”

Employees of the SSA must take an oath of secrecy and the agency is given power to “exercise disciplinary control over” staff. Section 10 of the act stipulates that the accounts of the agency are to be audited annually by the Auditor General, forwarded to the Minister of National Security (under whose ministry the SSA falls) and laid in Parliament.

Audits for the years 2003 to 2008 had been outstanding for years, until finally being tabled in Parliament last week. Though tabled, the Office of the Auditor General attached seals to the reports, as has become the practice in relation to these reports.

Nonetheless, the reports, seen by Sunday Newsday, state that for each of the years 2003 to 2008 respectively, “weaknesses continue to exist in the internal control system. These were drawn to the attention of the Agency.”

For the year 2007, there was an un-reconciled difference of $2.5 million in relation to a cash in bank figure of $12.3 million. The general ledger figure for the same item also appeared off by $1.6 million in the balance sheet.

“Several errors were noted in the cash flow statement,” the Acting Auditor General Majeed Ali said. The auditor, therefore, qualified his audit report.

In the year ended September 2007, training expenses rose from $139, 481 to $6.8 million. The total government subvention for that year grew from $10.6 million the year prior to $18.8 million, almost a doubling of the agency’s funding. The expenses for computer and related accessories was $4.1 million, up from $24,766.87. A figure of $1 million was recorded as due from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

For the year 2008, cash in bank was again problematic, with an un-reconciled difference of about $400,000 in the reconciliation statement and a difference of $1.9 million in the balance sheet. Fixed assets were also understated, and a difference of $300,000 in accruals could not be explained. The accounts were again qualified. Subvention rose to $20 million in that year and an item for “Special Short-Term Projects” appeared at a cost of $6.6 million.

Additionally, for the year 2005, the figure of $601,160.66 representing fixed assets was understated by $273,774.12 as a result of prior year errors. As a result, Acting Auditor General Majeed Ali qualified the report for this year as well. A similar problem occurred in the books for 2006, with the same item being understated by $279,574.01 and therefore wrongly appearing in the books as $838,289.09.

An expense item of $1.5 million appeared in the books for 2006, in relation to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) set up to implement counter-measures in relation to money-laundering.

In 2010, Sunday Newsday reported that over a span of two decades, successive Auditors General have questioned weaknesses in internal controls at the State agency which was identified as one body to be subsumed under new surveillance arrangements in the wake of the 2010 disclosures on the extent of State spying on citizens.

http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,208959.html

[Rory Phoulorie]

I really hope that a contractor was not paid for that piece of paving around the S corners before the new bridge that they just opened up on the Toco Main Road.

That new paving is rougher than the waters in the Bocas. My Coke exploded all over the van from all the shaking up it got travelling over that rough new asphalt.