00:00The Board of Management of the Children's Authority is resisting the call by the minister for the board to resign,
00:07noting that it has a duty to honor its fiduciary responsibilities and hold office for such period as stated in
00:15the Instrument of Appointment Pursuant to the Children's Authority Act.
00:19The board further notes that it sent a letter to Minister Mohit, dated May 15, 2025, requesting a meeting with
00:27her to obtain her direction for the authority.
00:30However, the board says there was no acknowledgement of the request to meet.
00:34The board goes further to state that it was only after it initiated disciplinary proceedings for non-payment of statutory
00:42deductions,
00:43which it notes constitutes a breach of the laws of T&T and of the authority's disciplinary policy.
00:50Did the minister meet with the board for five minutes on February 6, 2026?
00:55The board did not state against whom the action was taken.
00:59However, the authority is currently without a CEO.
01:02As it relates to the other concerns raised by the minister, the board is attributing the issues to ongoing funding
01:10shortfalls,
01:11but notes that it did routinely provide the minister with comprehensive reports, monthly confirmed minutes and other necessary updates.
01:19And it points out that the day-to-day running of the entity falls entirely within the direct remit of
01:26the director or CEO who has a reporting responsibility to the board.
01:31The board says, quote,
01:33Over the past 11 months, it is unfortunate that the board has not benefited from the standard oversight of the
01:39line minister to support the authority's strategic direction
01:43and to help remedy the extreme financial challenges which the authority has been experiencing, end quote.
01:50Minister Mohit has cited a $77 million financial liability at the state institution.
01:58Vanessa Cutting, TV6 News.
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