FARIS DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION...AGAIN!

FARIS AL RAWI

Dear Editor,

When Faris Al‑Rawi claimed, “I couldn’t say, I am not a member of the government,” in response to whether CEPEP had been audited over the past seven years, he offered the public nothing but obfuscation.

Mr. Al‑Rawi served as line Minister under the PNM government. As such, he was responsible for oversight of state enterprises including CEPEP. How then could he truthfully assert ignorance about something so fundamental to fiscal governance?

The facts speak clearly. According to the Auditor General’s 2024 Report, no audited financial statements were submitted for CEPEP from 2018 to 2023, and internal company audits during that period were never conducted. Guardian Media further confirmed that CEPEP’s last financial audit submitted to Parliament was for the fiscal year ending 2014, a lapse of over a decade.

Thus, the question posed wasn’t hypothetical. It was clear, factual: Was CEPEP audited over the last seven years?The answer, based exclusively on audited records, must be “No.” And yet, Mr. Al‑Rawi did not say “No.” He sidestepped by claiming he could not comment.

This response is neither acceptable nor believable. As line minister, Mr. Al‑Rawi had the duty and opportunity to verify whether CEPEP complied with its statutory obligation to submit audited accounts annually to Parliament. His failure to even seek clarity suggests either wilful negligence or a troubling apathy toward public accountability.

Furthermore, his deflection now that he is no longer in government, asserting that as a former minister he cannot opine, is disingenuous. The public interest does not expire when one leaves office. The audit issue is active, it is unresolved, and there remain thousands of CEPEP workers whose livelihoods hinge on transparency and good governance.

If there are legitimate explanations, such as delays due to disaster, server crashes, or logistical mishaps, they must be stated plainly. But for Faris Al‑Rawi to claim ignorance, or inability to comment, after overseeing the Ministry is untenable. Ministers are expected to ask questions, demand accountability, and ensure public resources are properly audited. To not do so is a dereliction of duty.

It is time for Mr. Al‑Rawi to go beyond evasive rhetoric. He must answer:

·       Did CEPEP have audited financial statements covering fiscal years 2018 to 2023?

·       If not, why was this not questioned by his ministry?

·       If yes, where are the records and reports?

Without clear answers, the inference remains that CEPEP was left unaudited under the PNM administration. And the failure to audit is not just a technical oversight, it is a breach of public trust, especially when billions in taxpayer funds are involved.

The public deserves more than "I couldn’t say." They deserve truth.

Robert Theamos

Trincity