No victimisation in SporTT; duplication of jobs led to massive waste of $$

Sports Minister Anil Roberts told the Sunday Guardian operations at the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT) were ten times worse than the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT).

And he dismissed talk of political victimisation. “I have heard rumours of PNM card members being sacked. It is absolutely absurd. I do not know who have PNM, UNC or independent cards," he told the paper.

"Independent consultants were hired to restructure the SporTT revealed mismanagement. The audit showed that SporTT did a terrible job in its governing structure which led to wastage of taxpayers’ dollars, inefficiencies and corrupt practices. Millions are unaccounted for,” he added.

Roberts told the paper investigations revealed that in some cases two and three people were hired for positions with identical job specifications, noting that the monthly wage bill amounted to $859,000, excluding allowances.

It quoted the minister saying that people were receiving salaries that were higher than ministers, MPs and even the Prime Minister. "And it did not include travelling, meal or even telephone allowances. The audit shows instances of redundancy and no payment structure, so persons were being overpaid at the company," he said.

"Unfortunately, people would lose their jobs. I empathise with them but to suggest there is a political link it is not true,” Roberts said.

The Guardian said its own investigations found that senior management were receiving salaries of around $45,000.

Roberts said the Manning administration spent $600 million to set up the company, but it was poorly done. “There was no design organisational structure within SporTT which led to no accountability and checks and balances. Clearly, things were happening without people knowing," he said.

"Departments that existed were overstaffed and unproductive. Two salaries were being paid for the job of one person.

"Imagine, contractors hired to refurbish the stadium for the Under-17 World Cup are yet to paid because no annual reports were submitted so we are unable to draw down on the money. Frankly, Sportt is in a mess,” Roberts told the paper.

He also gave the assurance that the changes will not affect any sporting events. He said when the audit is complete all employees who have lost their jobs could re-apply for work in what said would be a restructured and efficiently run organisation.