Top CARICOM officials want probe of allegations against IMPACS

Antigua's National Security Minister Dr Errol Cort, who chairs of CARICOM's Council of National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) said Monday he intends to recommend that a comprehensive audit and review be conducted at the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).

He made the statement in response to allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds at the agency. IMPACS has refuted the charges.

The Trinidad Express, which first reported the allegations, said it received a text message from Cort saying that he was alarmed by the allegations contained in the Express article.

The Express quoted him as saying, "It is important that the general public have full confidence in our regional institutions, especially those that are tasked with the important responsibility of overseeing the region's crime and security agenda.

"To this end and in light of the allegations, I shall recommend to the Bureau of CONSLE that a comprehensive financial audit, to include a detailed review of internal procedures and policies, be carried out at IMPACS.

"I have so advised the executive director, Ms Lynne Anne Williams, and she is in full agreement and welcomes this approach."

Trinidad and Tobago's Attorney General Anand Ramlogan also expressed "outrage" over the allegations, the Express reported. It said Ramlogan wants the mattter thoroughly investigated and anyone found culpable should feel the full brunt of the law.

"I am outraged by the shocking exposé with respect to the corruption allegations and scandal that has plagued this regional body.

"Suffice it to say that at a time when Caribbean taxpayers' are struggling to provide basic necessities for citizens, it is extremely painful to see that monies are being flitted away under the guise of securing our borders and protecting our people and this is a national and regional scandal that deserves a heavy and swift response to ascertain the facts and if there is merit in these allegations, then the law should take its course and let the chips fall where they must in record time to set an example," Ramlogan told the paper.


Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is head of regional security at Caricom, has said that the allegations are serious and she intends to raise the matter before Caricom member states in order to institute an audit at the agency.