The recent report examining the House of Assembly’s Covid-19 Assistance Grants brought to light startling findings regarding the distribution of funds to government employees. The report revealed that several government employees, including senior officials and those on consultancy/employment contracts, applied for and received financial assistance totalling $398,029.25 despite a number of individuals having no impact on their regular salaries.
The report, which includes a table displaying the various categories under which the funds were paid, raised concerns about the eligibility and appropriateness of some recipients. Specifically, the report questioned the distribution of funds to individuals whose government income remained unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It did note however that while their regular salaries continued, the argument could be made that other members of their households experienced financial impacts due to the pandemic. In this case, the report stated that the affected parties should have been the ones to apply for assistance.
Key individuals in the Premier’s Office were among those highlighted in the report for benefiting from the Covid-19 grants, with some receiving significant amounts. For instance, one consultant in the Premier’s Office, who was named in the report, received two House of Assembly Covid-19 grants totalling $6,800.00. These grants were paid directly to vendors on his behalf to cover insurance for his property and purchase furniture. Additionally, he received two Covid-19 small business grants amounting to $14,317.00 and a Financial Assistance Grant of $30,000.00 from the Premier’s Office in December 2020. Notably, during this period, he was already receiving a contractual salary of $9,000.00 per month, in addition to his regular monthly pension.
Similarly, another consultant in the Premier’s Office received an HOA Covid-19 grant of $5,000.00, paid directly to a vendor for vehicle repairs. She also received two Covid-19 business grants totalling $14,317.00 and a financial grant of $10,000.00 from the Premier’s Office in November 2021. During this time, she was being paid a contractual salary of $6,250.00 per month, along with her regular monthly pension from August 2019 to August 2020.
Further revelations emerged about the then-permanent secretary in the Premier’s Office, who received $3,000.00 to cover an expense incurred two years prior to the pandemic in 2018, in addition to a Covid-19 business grant of $7,954.00.
The report has faced backlash from the House of Assembly with members calling for greater context when providing the records of distribution to members of the public.