Probe into cocoa corruption

]MINISTER in the Ministry of Agriculture Avinash Singh has confirmed that allegations of corruption at the Cocoa Development Company (CDCTTL) have been brought to his attention.

While he cannot substantiate the claims, Singh promised to refer the matter to the permanent secretary in the ministry for investigation.

Claims of mismanagement and nepotism including hiring of close relatives are outlined in a letter sent to Singh from former minister of Food Production Devant Maharaj.

Maharaj asked Singh to investigate the relocation of the CDCTTL’s office to another nearby building at Mulchan Seuchan Road and to ascertain if the monthly rent has been increased from $15,000 to $80,000.

Maharaj told Sunday Newsday, “The CDCTTL appears to be unchecked by the ministry of agriculture and is now looking like a runaway horse.” He charged that one of the floors in the new three-story building has been earmarked for someone's “personal use.”

“There is serious mismanagement of funds,” Maharaj said as he questioned $15 million left in an account held by the Cocoa and Coffee Board and which was closed to form the CDCTTL.

“This money was from the sale of cocoa and was supposed to be used for the benefit of farmers. But it appears the money was used for the personal benefit of others within the company.

"A detailed review of the expenditure of the Company should be done to verify what the funds have been used for," Maharaj advised. He said given the key role the cocoa industry and the CDCTTL can play in the diversification of the economy, it is incumbent that the ministry investigate these allegations and act, if there are indeed violations.