Trinidad's PM wants regional security agency audit

Trinidad’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she intends to highlight allegations of corruption at the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, IMPACS.



She made undertaking after The Sunday Express newspaper ran a front page story quoting reliable sources alleging incidents of misappropriation of as well as fraudulent accounting practices at the regional institution.



Mrs. Persad-Bissessar, who has responsibility for security within CARICOM, says she will be requesting a full investigation, including an audit, and for steps to be taken for transparency and accountability.



Meanwhile, she says the funding for IMPACS remains a contentious issue particularly as several CARICOM states have not paid their contribution to the organization.



She adds that at the last annual summit of regional leaders in Jamaica a proposal calling for a five US dollar fee on airline tickets to raise funds was rejected.