THA Division Of Education Denies Negligence In Payment Delays For Maxi Taxi Concessionaires
The THA Division of Education says delays in payments to maxi-taxi concessionaires transporting students in Tobago are not due to negligence on its part.
On Monday, Education Secretary Orlando Kerr told the media that while he sympathises with the operators, the payment process for service providers is a lengthy one.
« The Division of Education, Skills and Innovation only received the invoices for January on the second of March. After the invoices were received, all the processing took place, it was vouchered and checked, and the funds have been released already to PTSC. But as I said earlier, it is a lengthy process. From what we understand, based on our last meeting with PTSC, is that when we release funds to PTSC, the funds go to Trinidad, and then I think Trinidad releases the payments to the maxi-taxi drivers. »
Mr. Kerr added that a verification process is also required to confirm that trips were made, which contributes to the delay. He noted that the Division is exploring the use of technology to improve efficiency.
« We are very cognisant of the fact that the whole verification process takes a lot of time, and we are looking at ways in which we can reduce that time. One of the ways that was discussed was the use of technology, the use of GPS systems, so we will be able in a quicker time be able to verify that the trips were made and so on and we will be able to process payments faster. »
The Education Secretary also said efforts are underway to streamline the arrangement, noting that a meeting was held with the Public Transport Service Corporation, PTSC, to develop a Memorandum of Understanding.
PTSC was expected to provide details on Tuesday on the model to be used. Mr. Kerr said this was communicated to the Maxi Taxi Association representative.
