00:00The Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services has injected more than 36 million TT dollars into the
00:08Children's Authority to settle long outstanding debts accumulated over several years.
00:14At a check presentation ceremony on Thursday, Minister Vandana Mohit handed over payments totaling $36,039,734.51, describing the
00:28move as part of government's commitment to restoring financial accountability and ensuring uninterrupted child protection services.
00:36The payments cover recently audited invoices dating back to 2019 for critical operational expenses.
00:44The largest allocation, more than $31.2 million, will go to unpaid security services.
00:52Another $2.9 million has been allocated to outstanding works at the National Care and Empowerment Center, while almost $1
01:00.9 million will settle unpaid janitorial service invoices.
01:05The Ministry says clearing the debts will ensure the Children's Authority can continue delivering care and protection services to children
01:13without disruption.
01:14Officials also say the payments will shield the Authority and its current board from potential legal action over long-standing
01:23unpaid bills for janitorial services.
01:25The Authority is the statutory agency responsible for investigating reports of child abuse, providing protection for vulnerable children, licensing children's
01:36homes, managing foster care and adoption services, and promoting child welfare throughout T&T.
01:43The National Care and Empowerment Center, one of the projects receiving funding, was officially launched in 2026 after the refurbishment
01:51of the former Piparo Empowerment Center into a residential and rehabilitation facility for children requiring specialized care.
01:59The Ministry says the settlement of these debts reflects government's efforts to address inherited financial obligations, while strengthening the agencies
02:09responsible for protecting the nation's most vulnerable children.
02:13And it says resolving the outstanding liabilities will allow the Authority to focus on its core mandate of protecting children,
02:22while improving stability of its day-to-day operations.
02:25I offer you to Wari Rupnerine, TV6 News.
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