RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
The Siparia Borough Corporation (SBC) received a much-needed resupply of diesel from Unipet on Wednesday, putting an end to a standoff that had ensued after transport workers staged a protest on Tuesday.
President of the South Branch of the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW), Jason Gordon, confirmed the arrival of the supplier on Wednesday morning, saying all tanks were successfully refilled.
"Water tenders, brush cutters, and garage trucks were all able to resume their operations promptly. The only vehicle that did not go out was the cesspool truck."," Gordon revealed.
Expressing contentment that the issue was resolved, Gordon emphasized the necessity for the administrative arm to work proactively to prevent a recurrence of such problems.
However, in a release, the Ministry of Local Government revealed that the SBC's main bank account maintained a substantial balance of over $11 million which was enough to cover the costs of diesel as well as pay outstanding arrears.
The Ministry explained that while releases under specific budgetary allocations might remain unpaid, councils have the authority to reallocate funds with proper approval.
Regarding the outstanding payment for diesel totalling $121,992.41 owed to the service provider covering September to November 2023, the Ministry highlighted communication between the SBC's CEO and the Council, indicating that the existing balance could cover the outstanding debt. However, it said the Council did not sanction the use of these funds.
However, Mayor Doodnath Mayrhoo explained that the Council made a deliberate decision not to utilize unspent balances, because to do so meant a violation of financial regulations.
"We were advised by the financial officer that approving spending for money not intended for that purpose is illegal. We called a Special Statutory meeting and the Council took a decision not to take that action because it was illegal," Mayrhoo revealed.
He also said there was a breakdown of the administrative arm of the Corporation noting that the request for releases went in five days late.
On Tuesday about 25 daily-paid workers staged protests outside the Borough's administrative offices in Sipariademanding to know why diesel was not purchased. All Transport operations including water trucking, garbage disposal, brush cutting and cesspool cleaning ground to a halt.
Mayor Mayrhoo is expected to reveal other administrative inefficiencies in the Corporation later this week.