Financial Dispute in Trinidad and Tobago: Imbert and Persad Bissessar at Odds

Finance Minister and Opposition Leader in Dispute

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC—Finance Minister Colm Imbert Wednesday brushed aside Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar’s call for an investigation into him now that the probe into the Auditor General’s role in the revenue understatement of the public accounts has been discontinued.

Imbert’s Response

In a statement, Imbert said he has "taken note of the latest diatribe" from Persad Bissessar regarding the impasse in 2024 between public officers at the Ministry of Finance and the Auditor General over the 2023 public accounts.

"The Leader of the Opposition…has been a person in public life for almost 30 years now and has held the highest ministerial position in the country, as Prime Minister, from 2010 to 2015.

"She must, therefore, have a proper understanding of the process that leads to the submission by the public servants in the Treasury of the annual public accounts to the Auditor General, and she, therefore, knows better than to spread malicious gossip about this process."

Audit Process

Imbert said she is well aware that the preparation of the annual public accounts and submission of these accounts to the Auditor General were delegated to the public officers in the Treasury many decades ago.

"She is also well aware that the Minister of Finance has no role in preparing or submitting these accounts and is not featured in the audit documents. A cursory examination of the public accounts for the last 40+ years would reveal that"

Incident and Investigation

The incident occurred with the fiscal 2023 public accounts. It was initially reported as an understated government revenue figure of TT$3.4 billion (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cent) but was later revised to TT$2.6 billion. The Auditor General, Jaiwantie Ramdass, refused to accept the amended accounts, arguing that her audit of the original submission was complete.

The government launched an investigation, but it was discontinued on February 28 following a ruling by the London-based Privy Council, the country’s highest court, and the completion of an independent inquiry.

Persad Bissessar’s Response

But in a statement, Persad Bissessar said the government’s "defeat" will "forever remain a blot on our democracy.

"Imbert’s attempts to intimidate, harass, and bully Auditor General Jaiwantie Ramdass backfired spectacularly when Ms Ramdass decided to stand up and defend herself and the Constitution from the government’s unwarranted political attack."

Conclusion

In his statement, Imbert outlined the procedure used to produce the Auditor General’s report, adding, "These financial statements, none of which are prepared by the Minister of Finance, are required to be accompanied by a Statement of Declaration and Certification.

"This Statement of Declaration and Certification is signed by the three officials in the Ministry of Finance who are responsible for the preparation and submission to the Auditor General of the financial statements for the year in question, namely the Accounting Officer, who is the Permanent Secretary, the Comptroller of Accounts and the Treasury Director.

FAQs

What is the dispute between Imbert and Persad Bissessar?
The dispute is over the revenue understatement of the public accounts in 2023 and the investigation into the Auditor General’s role in the process.
What is the Auditor General’s role in the process?
The Auditor General is responsible for auditing the public accounts and reporting to the government.
What is the procedure for producing the Auditor General’s report?
The financial statements are prepared by public officers in the Treasury and are required to be accompanied by a Statement of Declaration and Certification, which is signed by three officials in the Ministry of Finance.
What is the outcome of the investigation?
The investigation was discontinued on February 28 following a ruling by the London-based Privy Council and the completion of an independent inquiry.