$77M spent on CEPEP in six months

Government spent $77 million on CEPEP between the months of May and October, Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment, Pennelope Beckles disclosed yesterday.

She was responding to a question from UNC Senator Sadiq Baksh in the Senate. Beckles gave a breakdown for the six months. She said in May, some $15.1 million was spent; in June the expenditure was $14.7 million; July: $15.6 million; August: $21.5 million; September: $7 million and October $289,505.10. She said since the inception, training has been a major component of CEPEP. She added that it was mandatory for contractors on the programme to receive training in the following areas: industrial relations; environmental management; accounting procedures; entrepeneurial development; financial management; health and safety and statutory obligations. Foremen also received training in self development; principles of landscaping; roadside maintenance and conservation. Beckles stated that all training programmes were conducted by qualified and competent persons and organisations including the Ministry of Works. She said the expenditure cited earlier included the cost of training.