00:00The Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services says it has paid $17.9 million in audited, unremitted
00:09statutory obligations owed by the Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
00:15The payment follows what the ministry describes as a decisive intervention by Minister Vandana Mohit to address long-standing financial
00:24issues at the authority.
00:25The ministry said the outstanding deductions were allowed to accumulate under the current board and senior management, citing poor financial
00:34governance, inadequate oversight and what it describes as a serious breach of fiduciary responsibility.
00:41It says the unpaid liabilities expose the authority to significant financial and legal risks while undermining one of the country's
00:49key child protection institutions.
00:52The ministry says after assuming office, Minister Mohit ordered a comprehensive review of the authority's finances and worked with the
01:00Ministry of Finance to secure funding to regularize the debt.
01:04An earlier payment of just over $36 million was made and with today's disbursement, the government says it has now
01:12cleared more than $53.9 million in outstanding debts and statutory obligations.
01:19The ministry says the payments demonstrate the government's commitment to restoring the Children's Authority's financial stability, strengthening accountability and ensuring
01:30public institutions meet their statutory obligations.
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