And the Leader of Government business didn't stop there. Later on in his remarks, he provided details of some alleged bad business that happened at NICH.
Here's what he had to say:
Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Leader of Government Business
"We have found out a sick and sordid transaction that took place at the National Institute of Culture and History, a well-known United Democratic Party supporter and if you mess with me I will call the name, had a lease for a piece of land for 30 years, got a mortgage from Social Security and defaulted, the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) decided to pay off the loan to Social Security $1000,000 was paid in 2019 by way of resolution of the board of NICH. This is a state enterprise, a statutory body dedicated to culture and history. It is paying off a mortgage for a UDP supporter in the amount of $100,000 and the minutes reflect that the then minister of education the now temporary leader of the opposition supported the decision. The auditors Bakertilly says included in NICH's records are property tax and mortgage loan repayments to the Social Security Board made on behalf of a third party Shalini and Mirna Manzanarez for a total of $102,590.98 carried on its statement of financial position. Though it was evident that the pay out of the loan was duly approved on the condition that NICH would be ultimately be made beneficiary to the property through inheritance the finance department does not have on file any agreement or documentation to substantiate this arrangement or to substantiate NICH's future right if any to the said property. Additional in discussing the matter with finance, it was further highlighted that though the expenditure had been capitalize and carried as an asset of NICH, there is no supporting documentation under department's file of the said treatment. Madam President, Can you believe this?"
We'll have a little more from the Senate Meeting including a war of words over a 5 million dollar loan to purchase more COVID-19 vaccines.
