Trinidad’s Minister of National Security – Gary Griffith
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Defence Force budget for food has been increased to some TT$50 million a year.
And National Security Minister Gary Griffith yesterday admitted the appetites of the members of the Air Guard were big.
Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley queried the increase in the food bill for the Regiment from TT$27 million to TT$40 million, as well an allocation of TT$10 million a year to feed members of the Air Guard.
The issue came up during the Standing Finance Committee of the Parliament’s scrutiny of the figures of the national budget with respect to each ministry at the Parliament sitting yesterday at Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain.
Examining the figures for National Security, which was allocated US$2.6 billion in the 2015 budget, Rowley said he was not accusing the officers of having increased appetites, but pointed out the numbers provided by Griffith do not make sense.
Griffith said US$40 million was being spent to feed 3,000 members of the Defence Force, while $10 million was being spent to feed 400 members of the Air Guard—which was a newly established arm of the Defence Force.
“So the Regiment has 3,000 bodies and the Air Guard has 400, but the food bill for the Air Guard is a quarter of that of the Regiment. So we budget TT$40 million for food at the institutions for the Regiment and we budget TT$10 million for the Air Guard. Something is not right here,” said Rowley.
Griffith said members of the Regiment remain on camp while the facilities of the Air Guard were different.
“That’s the point I’m making, you’re making my case,” said Rowley, as he pointed out that although the Air Guard has a smaller number of people, 25 per cent of TT$40 million was being used to feed them.
“How do you explain that?” asked Rowley.
“They eating!” responded Griffith with a laugh.
House Speaker and chairman of the committee Wade Mark proceeded to continue with other business, when Rowley interjected, saying, “I haven’t got an answer. I’m asking for an answer.”
Griffith said he will find out and provide the information and also look at the menu.
Earlier, Rowley made the point there was a high food bill as well as increased costs for other services in the ministry because of the lack of competition.
“I suspect it has to do with the competition of the supply and I’m simply drawing this to the attention of the minister so that you can ensure that there is proper competition,” he said.
Griffith said an audit is currently under way to ensure there was value for money in the services provided.
Rowley also raised concerns with respect to a hike in the funding to pay phone bills for national security.
He questioned how the Finance Minister was convinced to approve an increase from TT$2.6 million to TT$7 million for telephone usage—a 200 per cent increase.
Griffith said there was more phone usage because of joint operations with respect to the Inter Agency Task Force.
“From TT$2.6 million to TT$7 million?” asked Rowley.
Griffith said he would provide a break down to justify this increase as Rowley again reiterated the need for competition in providing these services.
TRINIDAD EXPRESS
