Teixeira accuses Reg. 2 of using revenue as ‘slush fund’; $21M in advances not repaid between1995 to 2018

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting in progress (Photo: June 6, 2022)

Saywack said the monies were used to help people in the region even as it was revealed that monies were also taken from the account to replace laptops, assist with medical care and relocation of staff.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira was the first to put on record that the monies seem to be used outside of the purposes intended amounting to a “slush fund.”

Teixeira said among the major issue is that the monies are not declared as revenue at the end of the year and then form part of the regional budget. She said too that the monies are not turned over to the Consolidated Fund as is expected, which also raises serious concerns.

“It appears this money is used as slush funds,” Teixeira said as members Ganesh Mahipaul and Juretha Fernandes agreed with “yeses” and the nodding of their heads in the affirmative.

“Persons have been delinquent too in having taken advances and not reimbursing and those persons are liable for charges of some kind,” Teixeira added

It was revealed during exchanges that some of the signatories on the accounts are no longer employed with the region, leading to PAC members to instruct that those names are removed forthwith and the practice of the REO and Chairman deciding how to use the money to cease.

The audit office said similar practices were found in Regions Nine and Six.