Tobago Development Minister Vernella Alleyne-Toppin has apologised for the misuse of her Government-issued credit card. She has also returned it to First Citizens. Her apology comes 16 days after Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley informed Parliament about the minister's misuse of the card. She had chalked up a $68,048.16 balance on the credit card. Transactions included cash advances from ATMs across the country for sums ranging from $200 to $3,500. She also used the card to pay bills at various local businesses, including Ruby Tuesday ($804); Hyatt Regency Hotel ($1,699.19) and Bella Forma Resorts ($2,433.25).
The regulations governing the card prohibit cash withdrawals. Last Wednesday, in a strongly worded statement, chairman of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP), Stanley Beard called on Alleyne-Toppin to issue "a full and unconditional apology" to her Tobago East constituents and the people of T&T for the misuse of the card. Alleyne-Toppin responded to Beard's call in a letter dated March 18. She said: "The Minister of Tobago Development herein unreservedly apologises for the issue that arose surrounding the use of the State-issued credit card."
She said the apology was being issued "to bring redress and closure to the matter."
Alleyne-Toppin told Beard:
• All balances drawn on the account have been repaid in full:
• use of the card has been discontinued: and
• the actual card has been returned to First Citizens Bank
Alleyne-Toppin said she also had taken steps to personally review and address any breakdown in the administration of her ministry "to ensure that matters of this nature do not occur in the future in keeping with (my) commitment to transparency, integrity and accountability in all operations." Chairman of TOP Ashworth Jack yesterday accepted her apology. He said the minister was only human and humans do make mistakes. He said it was now time to move on in the interest of the people of Tobago.