1 week ago
4
Senior Reporter
A People’s National Movement (PNM) alderman in the Government-controlled Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation has raised concern over non-payment of salaries and goods and services for July.
Alderman Elitha Bessor said seven councillors and four aldermen were left without pay. She also criticised the lack of outcry from political opponents, warning that the delay is causing late fees and financial strain.
“It’s really sad because, I mean, not only I alone, all members have bills to pay when the month comes,” she said.
“As they (the UNC) say, they are there for us. When they win, everybody wins (UNC slogan), but they need to pull up their socks. Because if it was the PNM, I know the other council members from the UNC would have been making plenty of noise. But as of now, no noise making though nothing is paid,” she added.
The non-payment was also confirmed by a United National Congress (UNC) corporation member who blamed the previous administration for not budgeting salary increases granted under the Salary Reviews Commission report.
Under the SRC report, chairpersons of regional corporations—such as those at Mayaro/Rio Claro or Toco/Sangre Grande, were previously paid $15,670 per month. The report recommended raising this to $25,676, effective April 1, 2023.
Elected councillors and nominated aldermen also received recommended pay increases, from a stipend of $4,360 to the tune of $6,039.
The source, who asked not to be named, recalled that under the last administration, the SRC report was accepted, granting a slight pay increase for members of council. However, no additional funds were allocated to cover the higher salaries.
“They knew that within a year the allocation would be depleted and would not be able to cover it,” the source said.
To address the shortfall, the corporation source said the Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Finance initiated a “virement”—a budgetary transfer—taking funds from Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) development projects under the corporation and moving them to the recurrent expenditure account.
The source noted that this process takes longer than transfers within recurrent accounts, but confirmed that the paperwork was signed off by Local Government and Rural Development Minister Khadijah Ameen this week, and funds were expected by next week. Coverage is also assured to the end of the financial year.
“We’re waiting, what yuh go do? The work has to go on,” the source said.
When contacted for comment, Ameen said there was a minor administrative error. She said she brought it to the attention of the permanent secretary, and it is being addressed.
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