Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath has slammed MP Marvin Gonzales over what he called “continued lies, cries, and mamaguy” on the issues surrounding CEPEP.
In a statement on Tuesday, Minister Padarath rejected and dismissed claims made by Mr. Gonzales of secret CEPEP hiring in UNC areas, noting that several media outlets also carried the unsubstantiated allegations in today’s news cycle.
On this, Minister Padarath said CEPEP is currently undergoing an audit and, as such, there has been “absolutely no invitation to register or hire any contractors across the country.”
He also noted that the CEPEP programme was flagged by the Central Audit Committee of the Ministry of Finance for what he described as “questionable hiring practices.” Additionally, he said there was a lack of proper oversight in the programme’s procurement processes, and the company failed to submit audited financial statements for seven years.
Minister Padarath said CEPEP will “no longer be used as a political party group” under his watch, noting that during the 2016 to 2025 period over 60% of its contractors came from constituencies held by the PNM.
The Minister of Public Utilities said CEPEP has strayed far from its original moorings and that the government has been reviewing its operations. He added that CEPEP must be “a transitory organisation that helps people move into more sustainable jobs, with a focus on community enhancement and empowerment.”