Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says that there is no need at this time, for an urgent investigation by the Auditor General as it relates to government’s management of Covid19 grants.

Responding to a question in the House of Representatives today, PM Rowley however assured that there is ongoing review of government’s operations to promote transparency. 

“The Auditor General does an ongoing exercise in reviewing government’s operations and reports on the ongoing Covid-19 grants are treated in the normal way and at this time there is no immediate involvement of an urgent investigation. However, all ministries and departments to which reference made by the Auditor General, requiring adjustments or improvements in their operations are underway,” Dr. Rowley said. 

Oropouche West MP Davendranath Tancoo then asked the supplemental question: “Can the PM indicate whether he is comforted in the knowledge that 713 people used the same bank account number in their application and no one will be held accountable for this?”

“Madame Speaker, I did not say that and therefore I will not respond to that,” the PM responded. 

MP Tancoo further pressed: “We have an indication Madam Speaker, and I will like the PM to answer clearly, whether any investigation will be done on the fact that 2,672 persons received both Income and Food Support Grants for a total of $8.115million and no one will be held accountable for this breach…”

PM Rowley reasserted: “Madame Speaker, what I did say is that references made by the Auditor General requiring departmental intervention, those references will require adjustments by the relevant department and those adjustments are ongoing.”