IMBERT’S MISSING $11 M

FINANCE Minister Colm Imbert has told the nation that the recent Caricom talks in Trinidad and Tobago cost $9 million.

But the government had allocated $20 million for that event.

In the supplementary budget, presented in May, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs assigned $20 million for hosting the three-day summit.

The allocation was done under Head 65, with the Ministry being granted a further $49,956,823, to add to its previous allocation.

The $20 million came under the title “Hosting of Conferences, Seminars and Other Functions.”

The relevant document states: “The sum is needed to meet the cost of hosting the 45^th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community and related celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Establishment of Caricom by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago during the period July 03-06, 2023.”

Yet Imbert said at a media conference that “$9 million or less” was spent on the conference.

He did not provide an explanation with respect to the $20 million allotment.

The Minister gave the $9 million figure while he defended his decision to bypass the formal procurement system in exempting the purchase of goods and services for the conference.

Imbert has been roundly criticised for signing an exemption order that served to circumvent the procurement legislation.

A brand-new Procurement Regulator Beverly Khan was recently appointed.

Khan is mandated to implement the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act 2015.