Auditor General Highlights $677 Million Wasted on Incomplete School Projects

The recent Auditor General’s report has disclosed alarming findings regarding the management of school construction projects in Trinidad and Tobago. According to the report, nearly $677 million has been spent on school constructions that remain incomplete, with many sites abandoned and overgrown. In at least one instance, payments were made without any identifiable structure emerging from the project.

A significant example cited in the report involves the Parvati Girls Hindu College located in Penal. The institution received over $103 million, reaching 72 percent completion before construction was suspended in August 2015. This site is emblematic of wider systemic issues, where unsecured locations, insufficient contractor oversight, and poor project follow-up have resulted in significant wastage of public funds.

The Ministry of Education, responsible for school infrastructure projects, has come under scrutiny following these revelations. Stakeholders have called for urgent reforms in project planning and execution processes. This call underscores the need for stricter oversight mechanisms and accountability in governmental contracts, particularly in the education sector.