by Linda Straker
- International travel for NNP administration was EC$610,348.41 from Jan–Dec 2019
- NDC government spent EC$509,578.48 on international travel from Jul–Nov 2022
- PM disclosed that apart from organisations that Grenada is obligated to, all travel by himself and other government ministers are paid for by inviting entities
Records made public this week for Parliament show that the ruling Dickon Mitchell-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration spent more on international travel during its first 5 months in 2022 than the Dr Keith Mitchell New National Party (NNP) administration for the entire year of 2019.
From July to November 2022, the government spent EC$509,578.48 on international travel, according to answers provided to Opposition Leader Dr Keith Mitchell after he submitted several questions to Parliament in November 2022. The answers were provided the following month.
The international travel figures provided were for airfare, accommodation, meals, subsistence and sundry expenses, and fixed allowance.
A review of the audited Public Accounts Report from the Director of Audit for the year ended 31 December 2019 showed that international travel for the former administration was EC$610,348.41 as follows (in EC$):
- 244,643.89 – Airfare
- 114,836.51 – Accommodation
- 99,709.96 – Meals:
- 21,061.76 – Subsistence and Sundry Expenses
- 130,096.29 – Fixed Allowance
Since receiving the answers in December 2022, Dr Mitchell filed other questions centred around the government’s travel but has not received any further answers.
Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall informed the Lower House of Parliament in June 2023 that his ministry was unable to provide Parliament with the list of names of each delegation who travelled on behalf of the government from 23 June 2022 to 31 May 2023. “This information is not available within the Ministry of Finance, as the Ministry of Finance is not responsible for the approval of travel across the government service. The Ministry of Finance will undertake to research this information but cannot provide a defined timeframe for the submission of the information,” Cornwall said in response to the question asked by the Opposition Leader.
Dr Mitchell requested a list of the delegations that travelled for and on behalf of the government for the period.
Recently, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell denied claims that his government is engaging in significant travel paid for by the state, and disclosed that apart from organisations that Grenada has an obligation to, all travel by himself and other government ministers is paid for by the inviting entity. “When people talk about travel, there is no significant travel,” Prime Minister Mitchell said in an interview as he sought to justify that his travel, averaging once per month, is not a burden on the state.
It’s vital to keep tabs on all government expenditures, but the key issue is what was achieved with that travel. The international investment we are seeking for Grenada, is unlikely to come from the constituency rum shop or from sending emails abroad. We need to get out there and sell Grenada.
This is so stupid. Why is the opposition leader so petty? Here is the question the opposition leader should be asking, who is or was more constructive in those months of travel? Did the NDC achieve more for Grenada? It’s absolutely clear, the NDC was much more constructive in their travels.