Query over $400,000 on SUVs

He revealed the purchase at yesterday’s sitting of the Public Administrations and Appropriations Committee chaired by Speaker Bridgid Annisette- George at Tower D, Port-of-Spain that met Education Ministry staff led by permanent secretary (PS) Angela Sinawasee-Gervais.

Rambharat asked Sinawasee- Gervais to account for the purchase but she said it happened before her tenure and she could only speculate a reply.

She suggested that it was at a time when funding was available and her predecessor might have reckoned it to be economical to buy two vehicles for $400,000 rather than just one for $240,000.

“I can’t say what was in the PS’s mind,” she said, but added that the decision might have been influenced by factors such as whether other vehicles were down at that ministry at that time.

Replying to a query from Annisette-George as to whether it might have been as a result of the need to spend available funds by a September 30 spending deadline, Sinawasee-Gervais opined that this was not likely the reason.

The vehicles were to be used to deliver mail with the X Trail recommended as having more trunk space although one committee member queried if this really was a valid criterion.