CEPEP WAS SHUT DOWN “TO AUDIT” WHERE IS THE Makayla

The government’s decision to shut down CEPEP, a public space maintenance program, raised concerns among workers and the public. The decision was justified by alleged irregularities and the need for an audit to restore accountability. A $7 million budget was allocated to wind up CEPEP’s operations but no audit has been published till now, despite a new program replacing it. Makayla Panday, leader of The Patriotic Front, has questioned the whereabouts of the audit. The new National Programme for the Upkeep of Public Spaces, as explained by Minister Khadijah Ameen, will hire workers directly, removing contractors and intermediaries. However, without the audit results, it’s unclear if this change prevents political interference or simply shifts power. Despite the similar work, state control, and structure to CEPEP, the new program is declared as something different. If the audit justified the shutdown, it should be published. If reform was the goal, it should be shown. Simply renaming a program is not a change, but an exchange.