{"id":5437,"date":"2018-05-03T16:25:01","date_gmt":"2018-05-03T21:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/projectcalls.com\/?p=5437"},"modified":"2018-05-03T16:25:01","modified_gmt":"2018-05-03T21:25:01","slug":"nib-3m-scam-unearthed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/nib-3m-scam-unearthed\/","title":{"rendered":"NIB $3M scam unearthed"},"content":{"rendered":"

An internal audit into the operations at the National Insurance Board (NIB) has uncovered a scam involving the payout of close to $3 million in maternity benefits.<\/p>\n

Four workers from the Insurance Operations Department at NIB offices in north Trinidad have been sent home with full pay pending the outcome of the investigations.<\/p>\n

According to a source at the NIB, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity, in mid last year, a woman visited the office of the executive director Niala Persad-Poliah, situated at NIB\u2019s head office at Queen\u2019s Park East, Port-of-Spain, and reported that she discovered approximately $30,000 in her bank account. The woman in her report stated that upon an inquiry with her bank on the origin of the hefty sum of money, she was told that it was her maternity benefit that was paid by the NIB.<\/p>\n

However, the woman said she was never pregnant and therefore never applied for such benefit.<\/p>\n

On the heels of her report, an internal auditor was mandated to carry out an audit of maternity benefit payments after it was brought to the attention of the audit committee of the Board and to the Board of Directors.<\/p>\n

Almost one year later \u201cno action has been taken,\u201d according to NIB sources.<\/p>\n

Employees claimed that one executive member is being \u201cwrongly targeted\u201d while those who are allegedly part of the scam \u201cremain on the job.\u201d Employees are now calling on Persad-Poliah \u201cto give the public answers.\u201d<\/p>\n

In an immediate response, Persad-Poliah told the Sunday Guardian that whilst this was an ongoing investigation and the NIB could not directly comment, \u201cthe NIB takes a zero-tolerance approach to fraud.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said NIB has a robust Fraud Control Framework and \u201call allegations are thoroughly investigated utilising best practice methods, experience and expertise; a combination of well-trained in-house investigators, external consultants and the T&T Police Service Fraud Squad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Persad-Poliah said she was \u201cunaware of such an allegation\u201d that an executive member was being targeted. She said the NIB has an efficient and effective grievance policy that \u201cprovides employees with a mechanism to expeditiously resolve issues of concern.\u201d<\/p>\n

The maternity scam is said to be just one of other scams that have been allegedly discovered at NIB.<\/p>\n

Last year, in the corporate communications department it was discovered that rooms were being \u201cillegally\u201d rented out for private functions, including weddings.<\/p>\n

A member of the public who had paid money to host a wedding at a room at NIB\u2019s head office reported the \u201cillegal rental arrangement\u201d to the office of the executive director.<\/p>\n

\u201cA worker resigned in the midst of this fiasco,\u201d the NIB source said.<\/p>\n

That worker, the source added, was also fingered in another scam. It was discovered that the worker was allegedly caught tampering and inflating bids submitted for the purchase of hot cross buns to ensure a family member received the baking contract.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe billion-dollar enterprises usually give staff complementary hot cross buns in celebration of Easter. The distribution of the sweet delicacy is in keeping with NIB decision to show respect of all religious holidays. Snacks are also distributed to staff during Divali, Eid, and Christmas,\u201d the source said.<\/p>\n

With respect to that particular worker, Persad-Poliah confirmed that the individual is no longer with the NIB.<\/p>\n

\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Image:\u00a0 Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An internal audit into the operations at the National Insurance Board (NIB) has uncovered a scam involving the payout of close to $3 million in maternity benefits. Four workers from…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":5445,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[112],"tags":[157,137],"class_list":["post-5437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-newsdevelopments","tag-anti-corruption","tag-trinidad-and-tobago"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Corruption-Man-in-a-suit-putting-euros-money-into-jacket-pocket..jpeg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6u9Qa-1pH","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":26647,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/udecott-to-build-new-headquarters\/","url_meta":{"origin":5437,"position":0},"title":"UDeCOTT to build new headquarters","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"March 2, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Trinidad and Tobago Construction of a new flagship building for the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) is expected to commence in the third quarter of this year but at least one expert is warning it\u2019s a waste of money and another grandiose project. The new location of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-yury-kim-585419-scaled-e1660863650934.jpg?fit=1024%2C581&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-yury-kim-585419-scaled-e1660863650934.jpg?fit=1024%2C581&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-yury-kim-585419-scaled-e1660863650934.jpg?fit=1024%2C581&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-yury-kim-585419-scaled-e1660863650934.jpg?fit=1024%2C581&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30461,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/amcham-opr-tackle-procurement-platform-concerns\/","url_meta":{"origin":5437,"position":1},"title":"Amcham, OPR tackle procurement platform concerns","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"October 12, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Trinidad and Tobago Since the recently-proclaimed Public Procurement and Disposal of Property Act came into full effect, the American Chamber of Commerce TT (Amcham) has noted various challenges being faced by its membership. Amcham, in a release, said it has been working with the Office of Procurement Regulations (OPR) and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pexels-julia-m-cameron-4145190-scaled-e1693536815351.jpg?fit=1025%2C684&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pexels-julia-m-cameron-4145190-scaled-e1693536815351.jpg?fit=1025%2C684&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pexels-julia-m-cameron-4145190-scaled-e1693536815351.jpg?fit=1025%2C684&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pexels-julia-m-cameron-4145190-scaled-e1693536815351.jpg?fit=1025%2C684&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":20652,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/some-400-of-1500-beaches-and-parks-contractors-verified-all-will-be-paid\/","url_meta":{"origin":5437,"position":2},"title":"Some 400 of 1,500 beaches and parks contractors verified, all will be paid","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"February 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas \u00a0 The government has verified some 450 of 1,500 contractors who were severed from The Bahamas Beaches and Parks Authority last month, said chairman of the board McKell Bonaby yesterday. Bonaby, who spoke to reporters in front of Parliament, was providing an update on the investigation into the authority\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":31228,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/incomplete-pintard-slams-governments-procurement-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":5437,"position":3},"title":"INCOMPLETE: Pintard slams government\u2019s procurement report","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"November 23, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas NASSAU, BAHAMAS \u2014 The Opposition has slammed the government for releasing what it described as an \u201cincomplete\u201d procurement report, arguing that it simply does not provide the requisite information legally required.\u00a0 Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard in a statement: \u201cThis Davis-led PLP never fails to underwhelm and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25039,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/best-in-class-government-launches-new-eprocurement-system\/","url_meta":{"origin":5437,"position":4},"title":"BEST IN CLASS: Government launches new eProcurement system","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"November 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas \u00a0The government\u2019s nearly $800 million allocation in the 2022\/2023 fiscal period for recurrent and capital expenditure represents \u201cvast\u201d procurement opportunities, according to Prime Minister Philip Davis, noting that a new Public Procurement Bill will soon be made public for consultation. Speaking at the launch of the government\u2019s new eProcurement\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-thisisengineering-3861972-scaled-e1668181587801.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-thisisengineering-3861972-scaled-e1668181587801.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-thisisengineering-3861972-scaled-e1668181587801.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-thisisengineering-3861972-scaled-e1668181587801.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31799,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/benefits-will-far-outweigh-the-challenges\/","url_meta":{"origin":5437,"position":5},"title":"Benefits will far outweigh the challenges","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"December 28, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Trinidad and Tobago AS Trinidad and Tobago approaches six months since the full proclamation of the Procurement Act, procurement regulator Beverly Khan acknowledges that while there have been some teething problems, she believes that the benefits will far outweigh the challenges. Delivering the feature address in a webinar hosted by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/pexels-pixabay-209224-scaled-e1703815769509.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/pexels-pixabay-209224-scaled-e1703815769509.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/pexels-pixabay-209224-scaled-e1703815769509.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/pexels-pixabay-209224-scaled-e1703815769509.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5437"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5437\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5446,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5437\/revisions\/5446"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}