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City Hall not audited for several years
Town Clerk, Carol Sooba
– Millions being pocketed – official
A reliable source from the City Hall is insisting that millions of dollars of taxpayers’ monies are being stolen under the leadership of the Town Clerk and that this is being facilitated by a crooked system that continues to exist.
The source said, “Whilst the council has fallen into disrepair, the system at this point remains shady and it should be made clear that the Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, is not doing anything about it. Sooba is not interested in preparing any Financial Statement because the loopholes would expose the millions of dollars being pocketed.”
“This council has not been audited since 1996. And, you can’t expect corrupt people to improve any system that they have crafted to serve their unquenchable thirst for taxpayers’ money.”
“The system at City Hall needs restructuring and Sooba who claims that she is serious about making a difference has not demonstrated in any way that her words have any merit.”
The Council, the source explained, will only plummet to the ground if the systems are not fixed.
“What is Sooba afraid of? Why can’t she get the system in order and prepare the necessary financial statements so that the council can be audited?”
The source also said, “Several efforts have been made for the Municipality to get its records in order for the 2013 Audit but its Clerk, at this point, is not interested in that. Also troubling, is how the government or the Opposition can just let this glaring breach of the Municipal and District Councils Act, continue to prevail.”
The source then made reference to the 2011 report of the Auditor General (AG). “According to the report, the sum of $282M was voted for capital subvention to municipalities and local community councils, enhanced environment and improved community services, improved drainage and irrigation facilities.
“On December 31, 2011, the full amount was granted to 65 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and six municipalities. Now, in this regard, the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 of the Laws of Guyana, requires the accounts of Municipal and District Councils to be made up yearly, not later than four months after the end of the financial year to which they relate, and for those accounts to be audited by the AG as soon as practicable.”
The report also noted that ten of the NDCs were never audited since their establishment and that the City hall is yet to produce its financial report to substantiate the money that was allocated to them.
Moreover, when this newspaper contacted Ms. Sooba to answer on the state of their financial records and the allegations of the millions being pocketed under her leadership, she directed this newspaper to its publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, who has no affiliation with the financial department of the council.
Sooba said, “Listen, all the answers you want to your questions, direct them to your boss, Glenn Lall. He has all the records of City Hall and knows more than we do. That’s all I have to say.”
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