Calls are being made for the Integrity Commission to investigate what is being described as “wastage of public funds” at the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC). This after members of the board held a lavish New Year’s staff party in Tobago, staying at a fancy hotel for two nights and two days at taxpayers’ expense. A source said the party was held at the Pan Am Building at Crown Point on January 4.
Chairman of the board Dr Vincent Lasse and three directors booked at Rovanel’s Resort at Store Bay Local Road, Crown Point. A source, who requested anonymity, said the Tobago party was the second to have been held for staffers, as one was hosted in Trinidad in December. Saying it was a complete waste of taxpayers’ money to have two parties, frustrated employees are questioning why the executives chose to spend the weekend in Tobago, instead of returning to Trinidad after the party was over.
“This is surprising since PTSC is crying out for new toilets and facilities in the properties department and the marketing department. The roof of the hub is also leaking for years and the place is generally in a mess. “Buses shut down every day, and this is how they are spending our money?” an irate employee asked. “How could the PTSC board travel when money is a problem and all these issues exist?”
Checks by the Guardian revealed that flights were available for the executives to return home after the party on the Saturday night or early Sunday morning. However, instead of booking their tickets, the executives stayed the weekend at the hotel, returning to Trinidad on January 6.
“I am told it was director (named called) who insisted that she stayed over because she not travelling late, and chairman Lasse agreed. My opinion is that if you don’t want to travel late, then stay home. Don’t waste the money of the people of T&T. What was a simple Christmas function on Saturday evening became a two-night stay in a fancy hotel at taxpayers’ expense,” the source said.
The Guardian was reliably informed that apart from flight tickets and hotel rooms, PTSC also footed the bill for all the ground transportation and meals for the entire weekend. “This was not a business trip but a fete; This was not company business. Taxpayers had to pay the expenses for two days and two nights and it is unfair, especially when workers are clamouring for better working conditions. This is something that the Integrity Commission should investigate,” the official said.
Transport Minister Stephen Cadiz was reportedly out of the country when the party was held.
Lasse: It’s a fallacy
Contacted for comment, Dr Lasse admitted that two parties were held. However, he said it was customary to have two parties—one for the Trinidad staffers and the other for Tobago staffers.
Saying it was cost effective to host separate parties, Lasse added, “It would cost too much to bring everyone from Tobago to Trinidad. It is much cheaper to have it in Tobago, so this thing about wasting money is a fallacy. People are trying to cause trouble. Much more money would have had to be spent if you had to bring the whole of Tobago to Trinidad.” Asked to justify costs, Lasse said he was unsure about the figures, advising this reporter to contact the accounts department.
“I don’t have the exact figure off the top of my head. Call the PTSC accountant and find out the figure for yourself.” Asked why the directors chose to stay two nights in Tobago, an irate Lasse said, “If you go to a function on Saturday, would you expect to fly back on Saturday night? Would you have wanted to return home immediately?” He also said that the board took a decision to have separate parties. He also said PTSC provided a vehicle to executives during their Tobago stay.
Contacted on his cellphone, PTSC’s finance manager Harry Bisram said he did not have the details about the cost of the trip. Director Carol Noel declined comment. She said, “I have no comment to make. I would suggest you contact the head office and speak to Carl Ramdeo. He is in the communications department. We did have a function in Tobago and we normally have it separate. Only board members who were invited went to Tobago, and we have been having it like that over the years.”
Another director, Ashvani Mahabir said he also had no comment. “My position is that as a director I am not in habit of discussing matters relating to the board with the media. You can chat with the chairman of the board with respect to that. I was not part of that event.”
Integrity Commission will investigate once matter is reported
Meanwhile, Mervyn Crichlow, communications and public relations officer of the Integrity Commission said investigations will be initiated once a matter is brought before the commission. He said, however, that the commission does not usually comment on whether matters were received or not.
Cadiz: I will make enquiries
Contacted on his cellphone, Minister Stephen Cadiz said he was not aware of the issue. “Now that you have raised it, I will make some enquiries about the costs and the length of time that board members stayed in Tobago,” Cadiz said. He noted, however, that matters of this nature are not usually brought to his attention as the board has the autonomy to make decisions about staff functions.