Million-dollar invoices for prisoner transport during the COVID-19 pandemic are now under review.
The revelation was made by National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds during the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament yesterday.
During the examination of his ministry’s request for additional funding, Hinds was asked about a $19 million expenditure for prisoner transport.
Minister Hinds said the entire invoice was not for that purpose but a portion of it was.
However, in an exchange with Barataria/San Juan Member of Parliament Saddam Hosein, Hinds noted that it is now being looked into before any payments are dispersed.
“How much is owed is now being reviewed...I have had demands but we are reviewing it to make sure that you, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, get value for money and every cent demanded, so to speak, invoiced, requested, would be genuinely so.”
Hinds explained that the review is to ensure that the service provided matches with the demands being made.
Hosein then pointed out that for the period being invoiced, most matters were done via the virtual court process.
“Then I am very surprised that a claim is now being made for prison transport during the period of virtual court and COVID,” he said.
Hinds responded by saying it was for that reason and others that the invoices are now under probe.
However, he declined to say which company submitted the claims for payments.
On several occasions in recent months, the Prison Officers Association has asked Hinds to explain why millions of dollars were being paid for prisoner transport when the service has drivers and vehicles available. Oftentimes, the association noted that a private company was being used to transport prisoners while the prison officers charged with that duty were doing nothing.