Latest update September 22nd, 2026 10:30 AM
Former Overseer of Grove NDC repaying $2.6M of missing funds
A former overseer of the Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has promised to repay some $2.6M that went missing.
Sometime late last year, investigations were launched into the matter by the Ministry of Local Government and the Local Government Department of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region Four.
Kaieteur News understands that there were reports of financial discrepancies at the said NDC and the then Overseer, Balraj Budwah, was to be at the center of it.
During the investigation period, Budwah was reportedly sent on administrative leave.
In a letter penned to the then Minister of Local Government, Norman Whittaker, on September 26, 2011, Budwah purportedly accepted the responsibility of repaying the sum of money that was discovered to be missing.
“With reference to the investigation carried between the Minister of Local Government and the Local Government Department of the Regional Democratic Council, Region #4, please be informed that I am in agreement with the facts presented in the report. I will refund the sum of Two million, six hundred and fifteen thousand, one hundred and twenty four dollars ($2,615,124) to the council’s account on or before 26th October, 2011,” Budwah purportedly wrote in his letter to Whittaker.
This letter was carbon copied to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and the Chairman of the Grove/Diamond NDC.
Regional Chairman, Clement Corlette, told Kaieteur News that he was not aware of any such letter being sent to the Ministry. The last letter Corlette was in receipt of was the notification that Budwah had been sent on administrative leave months ago.
Meanwhile, Minister Whittaker, who is the Junior Minister of the Local Government Ministry, told this publication yesterday that while he does not know about the details of the matter he is aware that some payments have been made by Budwah.
“The Ministry continues to guide and to provide oversight over the 10 Regional Democratic Councils, the 65 NDCs, six Municipalities and several Committee Development Councils (CDCs) across our country. This oversight responsibility embraces the issue of transparency,” said Whittaker.
Kaieteur News understands that shortly after being sent on leave, Budwah tendered his resignation, though it was unclear if this was done before the investigation was completed.
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