A comprehensive forensic audit will be conducted at National Maintenance Training & Security Company Ltd (MTS) following concerning revelations during a parliamentary inquiry that exposed significant operational challenges and substantial financial arrears owed by government entities.
The inquiry before Parliament’s State Enterprises Joint Select Committee on January 26th was temporarily interrupted by a building alarm during discussions about firearm certification delays for MTS security personnel. When proceedings resumed, Independent Senator Anthony Vieira, SC, committee chairman, acknowledged police responsiveness to the incident without elaborating on its nature.
MTS executives disclosed that government agencies owe the state-owned security company approximately $850 million in outstanding payments. CEO Brian Bachan detailed that the Education Ministry accounts for $450 million of this debt, followed by the Judiciary ($180 million), Sport Company ($30 million), Board of Inland Revenue ($25 million), and police services ($25 million).
Public Utilities Ministry Permanent Secretary Neela Ram-Atwaroo confirmed inter-ministerial discussions are underway regarding debt collection, noting invoice discrepancies between ministries have complicated repayment processes. The Finance Ministry has committed additional allocations to address these arrears.
The session revealed multiple operational challenges, including MTS Marketing Manager Sherwin Gosine’s disclosure of spending $250,000 on grass-cutting services—a figure that surprised committee members—and ongoing difficulties obtaining firearm certifications through the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
MTS Chairman Adrian Barran stated the newly appointed board encountered an organization ‘under considerable strain’ requiring strategic redirection. The forensic audit, expected to commence by early February, will examine advance payments to contractors and work quality concerns over a six-to-eight month period. Barran emphasized any evidence of wrongdoing would be forwarded to appropriate authorities.
Political tensions surfaced during proceedings when Minister Anil Roberts accused the former PNM administration of waging ‘war on licensed firearm holders,’ while Arouca/Lopinot MP Marvin Gonzales emphasized the committee’s duty to address state matters transparently without political theater. Committee Chairman Vieira ultimately stressed that regardless of political dimensions, the serious operational issues at MTS demand immediate attention.