The Trinidadian government has launched a comprehensive crackdown on systemic corruption within the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP), with Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen confirming multiple police interventions and detentions. The investigation has uncovered a sophisticated ‘ghost gang’ scheme involving fraudulent personnel records and unauthorized payments.
Minister Ameen revealed that law enforcement authorities have detained several individuals for questioning, with some found in possession of multiple fraudulent identification cards. Speaking after the appointment ceremony for the Boundaries of the Municipalities Committee at Kent House, Port of Spain, the minister disclosed that some of those apprehended have known gang affiliations, indicating deeper criminal networks infiltrating the welfare program.
The corruption cleanup began with the termination of all 928 workers previously listed on URP payrolls, many of whom were found to be nonexistent or even residing outside Trinidad and Tobago. ‘When we assumed office, we encountered 928 workers on paper,’ Minister Ameen explained. ‘Termination notices were issued to all, though some were untraceable while others appeared solely to collect their dismissal documentation.’
Of the original workforce, 130 legitimate public servants have been successfully integrated into the Local Government Ministry and reassigned to municipal corporations across the nation. The minister addressed pending one-month termination payments, emphasizing that all gratuity distributions must undergo standard auditing procedures to ensure proper financial oversight.
Minister Ameen defended the payment delay as standard protocol for any ex-gratia payments, noting that similar audits occurred during her tenure as councilor and chairman. She stressed that the process follows established public service protocols managed by independent auditing departments rather than political officials.
The current administration has accused previous governments of wasting millions through the poorly managed program, prompting comprehensive audits and criminal investigations. The restructuring initiative began on September 10 with immediate terminations and compensatory payments, though the exact scale of the dismissals remains undisclosed.