Mohit rejects blame over Children’s Authority debts

Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit says attempts to blame the current administration and her ministry for outstanding liabilities at the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago are unfair and misleading.

In a media release issued today, Mohit said the Children’s Authority operates as an independent statutory body with its own board and administrative leadership responsible for managing its operations, contractual obligations and financial affairs.

Mohit was responding to public concern over outstanding payments owed to service providers engaged by the Children’s Authority.

She said while the ministry provides a monthly block subvention to the authority, decisions on the utilisation, allocation and prioritisation of those funds fall within the authority’s remit.

“The Authority is not managed by the Ministry on a day-to-day basis. Its governance structure carries the fiduciary duty and legal responsibility to ensure that public funds are prudently administered and that obligations entered into are sustainably managed,” the release said.

Mohit questioned why there had been “complete and utter silence” before May 1, 2025 regarding debts reportedly dating back to 2021.

“The population is now entitled to ask: where was the urgency then? Where were the alarm bells when these liabilities were steadily accumulating over several years?” she asked.

Mohit said efforts were ongoing through the appropriate administrative and financial mechanisms to address the outstanding liabilities, including statutory obligations where applicable.

“These matters require structured review, verification and lawful processing to ensure accountability, transparency and fairness to all parties involved,” she said.

She added that the current administration remained committed to resolving the issues “responsibly and sustainably” while protecting both public funds and the continuity of services for children and families.

Mohit also appealed to service providers and the wider public for patience while the relevant processes continue.

“The people of Trinidad and Tobago deserve honesty. Service providers deserve transparency. And our children deserve institutions that place responsibility above public relations,” the release said.