Government Awaits Ministry of National Defence Audit Findings

Minister of the Public Service Henry Charles Usher says the Government is awaiting the findings of the ongoing audit at the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security before determining what action should be taken.  The audit was ordered following questions over procurement and hundreds of payments made through the Government’s SmartStream financial-management system. The records reportedly included multiple payments to businesses associated with relatives of former Defence Minister Oscar Mira.  The review covers procurement and financial activity at the ministry between 2015 and 2026. It is expected to determine whether government procedures were followed and whether any public officers should be held accountable.  Usher said the Public Service will be guided by the evidence contained in the final report.

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service: “Whenever an audit is done, a forensic audit is done, especially there is an engagement letter and that engagement letter sets out what they’re looking at, what areas, what timeline, who they want to interview, what files they would want. So I haven’t seen that engagement letter. I assume that it was sent to the Ministry of Defense. But that engagement letter would specify who the auditor wants to interview or what steps the auditor believes needs to take so that they can have an independent, open, no interference in terms of the work they need to do.”

Reporter: And do you know if the timeline for that audit, given that the Prime Minister says it should go back a decade that it’s going to last only three months? 

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service: “That’s a very good question and maybe the Auditor General or the lead auditor would be able to answer that. I’m hoping that it can happen fast. I think that it’s important that this information is brought out in terms of a report as soon as possible, but I don’t know how long it will take.”

Reporter:I guess the question to follow would be if it lasts longer then Mira and Marin would have to remain on suspension.

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service: “It’s a good question which means that my holding over that portfolio would last even longer.”

Oscar Mira and Florencio Marin Junior stepped away from their Cabinet responsibilities amid the controversy. Prime Minister John Briceño has since assumed interim responsibility for the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security.