Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said on Sunday an audit is expected to be done into allegations of corruption at the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security after Regional (IMPACS).
Persad-Bissessar said she is distressed by the allegations of fraud, mismanagement of funds and corruption at the regional security agency. However she was careful not to prejudge the situation.
“We cannot say for sure that the allegations are true, but should the allegations be true it is a very serious matter because here it is you have an organisation with the responsibility for law and order and the fight against crime, and should it be that they are ensnared in criminal activity, it would be a really serious situation in terms of the activities that you least expect from a crime fighting organisation,” the Guardian newspaper quoted her as saying.
She added that National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy and several of his regional counterparts will meet by video conferencing this week to discuss auditing and investigations into that mater.
Persad-Bissessar is the chair the National Security Council of CARICOM. However she noted that the direct responsibility for IMPACS falls under the direct responsibility of the Council of Ministers which is headed by Antigua's National Security Minister, Dr Errol Court.
“He has also indicated that we will take steps to have the matter investigated to an audit and look for transparency and accountability," she said.
Persad-Bissessar said she is distressed by the allegations of fraud, mismanagement of funds and corruption at the regional security agency. However she was careful not to prejudge the situation.
“We cannot say for sure that the allegations are true, but should the allegations be true it is a very serious matter because here it is you have an organisation with the responsibility for law and order and the fight against crime, and should it be that they are ensnared in criminal activity, it would be a really serious situation in terms of the activities that you least expect from a crime fighting organisation,” the Guardian newspaper quoted her as saying.
She added that National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy and several of his regional counterparts will meet by video conferencing this week to discuss auditing and investigations into that mater.
Persad-Bissessar is the chair the National Security Council of CARICOM. However she noted that the direct responsibility for IMPACS falls under the direct responsibility of the Council of Ministers which is headed by Antigua's National Security Minister, Dr Errol Court.
“He has also indicated that we will take steps to have the matter investigated to an audit and look for transparency and accountability," she said.
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