LETTER: Besides Customs, why aren’t the heads of the other statutory boards not giving the public an update on the financial health of their organization?

Dear Editor,

I was very much impress to hear from the comptroller of Customs that a profit of a little over a half a billion dollars was collected from the establishment’s operations, for the year 2024.

Obviously, the Comptroller of Customs and his team is doing something great. High praise should be given to them. They have generated well needed revenue for the nation’s GDP.

Interestingly, Customs is just one of the many of the statutory boards which seems to be declaring their financial status to the public. Last year the same was done. Now, why aren’t the other statutory boards doing the same?

Although, the report from the Comptroller was not a comprehensive one, in reference to the establishment’s receivables vs its payables, it is my view that the public stll deserves to hear a similar report from the other statutory boards.

Social Security is one such statutory board, the public needs to hear from. For 2025, some pensioners will be getting an increase on their pension, while on the other hand, new applicants for pensions have not received not even a cent for almost two years and more.

Obviously, something does not add up.

The funds at Social Security should be in a trust fund, which belongs to the people. The same should also apply to Medical Benefits (SLBMC), Inland Revenue etc. It is only courteous and the rights of the people to get an annual update of their monies.

2024 has just ended and the nation has not heard anything from the heads of most of these statutory department concerning the financial health of these statutory organizations.  Presenting the public with a report, will only set way for transparency & proper accountability.

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