“Fiscal Mayhem” is how Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar described aspects of the Auditor General’s Report 2024.

During today’s sitting of the Lower House, she examined parts of the report relating to expenditure by the previous government, including property rentals.

According to the Prime Minister, over $493 million was spent on property rentals, however while the master list showed 237 properties, 212 of these did not have current leases.

She added that the rent paid did not agree with the figures on the master list.

Mrs Persad-Bissessar said the master list also showed money being paid for rentals without any current lease or no cabinet approval.

The Prime Minister also referred to expenditure for security and on short term employment, which is defined as employment that does not exceed six months.

She said while the report showed over $491 million spent on security services, contract agreements were not seen to support 84% of that expenditure.

She added that over $350 million was spend on short term employment in 2024.

The Prime Minister also spoke of impediments, which she says were cited by the Auditor General:

• Prior Period Errors which could not be verified
• Issues regarding to the Statement of Loans or Credits Guaranteed by the State
• Omissions relating to the Statement of Public Debt
• Omissions relating to the Statement of Off Balance, Sheet Financing
• Inability of staff of the Auditor General’s Department to gain the relevant access to the Ministry of Education
• Supporting documents were not provided to verify payments

As a result, she said sampled expenditure of $1.5 billion could not be verified.

Following the Prime Minister’s contribution, former Finance Minister Colm Imbert responded by claiming that some of the rentals were began under the People’s Partnership from 2010 to 2015.

Among these, he added, was a building in Barataria which was never occupied despite $41 million being paid.

Mrs Persad-Bissessar responded to the claims by inviting Mr Imbert to read the report.