Calls for Accountability Grow After Youth & Sports Audit

Is there finally some movement on the long-awaited audit into the Ministry of Youth and Sports? Well, sources tell News Five that the Audit Department has wrapped up its investigation, but, so far, the final report hasn’t been made public. For years, the unions have been calling for a deep dive into the operations of the National Sports Council and the Department of Youth Services, especially over the past five years. And now, it seems that the audit may be complete. Today, we asked Minister Anthony Mahler about what’s been uncovered so far. His response? There’s a clear need for stronger checks and balances and a higher level of accountability.

 

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Youth and Sports

“That we need to put in some more of the checks and balances which we have been doing, that there has to be a higher level of accountability which we will do and that we need to show the nation that we will do things differently under Minister Daly and I’s leadership.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How much of that audit speaks to wastage within the ministry of youth and national sports council?”

 

Anthony Mahler

“Well it does not speak about wastage. It speaks about proper checks and balances and proper accountability for certain initiatives.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Checks and balances in terms of what?”

 

Anthony Mahler

“For example when you disburse monies in out district committees then there has to be accountability for it. When there is no accountability for the renting of facilities, that should come into a consolidated fund. That did not happen. These are some of the things we are talking about, relatively minor. We are talking about not a great deal of money after salaries anyhow. It is not this rampant corruption that people want to talk about. We are just in this environment where they want to paint all politician as corrupt. Throughout history that has happened. So, as politicians we have to take our lumps and deal with the environment we are operating in.”

 

Paul Lopez

“But in terms of does money not being wholly accounted for, one would imagine it impacted the development and investments in youth and sports under the former minister?”

 

Anthony Mahler

“Not really, because nobody pays much for any of these facilities. You are talking about a small amount of money. It is just how things are managed.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Is anyone to be held accountable for the findings there.”

 

Anthony Mahler

“We have not gotten there yet. We are still going through all the information, and we will see.”