During a session in the National Assembly, Ganesh Mahipaul, a Member of Parliament for the Partnership for National Unity (APNU), demanded a forensic audit into the hundreds of billions of dollars allocated for projects under the Ministry of Local Government. He emphasized the need for accountability, asserting that funds designated for infrastructure and capital works have been mismanaged, leading to wastage and potential corruption.
MP Mahipaul pointed out that in 2025, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development was allocated $41.8 billion, with $38.7 billion earmarked for capital expenditure and $3.1 billion for current expenditure. He expressed concern over the reported spending of $2.7 billion on various projects including the rehabilitation of markets, yet claimed that there was little evidence to substantiate these expenditures.
“Mr. Speaker, the budget book states that every cent of the $2.7 billion was fully spent! Exhausted! Gone! So I ask, where is the work? Where are the rehabilitated markets?” Mahipaul queried, highlighting specific amounts assigned to various projects, such as $200 million for Stabroek Market and $100 million for Albouystown Market, yet he found no visible evidence of these improvements.
He raised critical questions about public trust and financial integrity, calling for former Minister of Local Government, Sonia Parag, to account for each dollar spent. “If these funds did not result in tangible developments, then the conclusion is clear: the money went into somebody’s pocket,” Mahipaul stated, arguing that the lack of physical verification of expenditures represents a form of public theft rather than mere mismanagement.
Furthermore, Mahipaul criticized the government for additional expenditures reported across the country for various markets—over $800 million for Palmyra Culture Market and $200 million for Mon Repos Market, among others. He challenged the government to demonstrate the physical existence of these projects, asserting that residents and vendors should have the opportunity to assess whether the reported spending is reflected in actual work.
Having visited several project sites, Mahipaul reported that he observed discrepancies between reported expenditures and the reality on the ground, which he deemed indicative of corruption and wastage. He concluded his remarks by calling for a thorough investigation by the Auditor General, urging that the issues surrounding the Local Government Ministry highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in governance.
