POND ISLAND--The TelEm Management Board, Supervisory Board, and staff collectively spent XCG 230,885 on travel over the past nine months, Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs said during a Parliamentary Question Hour on Thursday.
The information was provided in response to inquiries from National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Darryl York, who asked what was the travelling expenditures of the TelEm Management Board in the last 12 months
Minister Gumbs, citing figures received directly from TelEm’s management, said the company has made “a conscious effort to limit travel and prioritize financial prudence given the company’s current fiscal constraints.”
Breaking down the figures, she said the Senior Management Board spent XCG 74,614 in travel; the Supervisory Board spent XCG. 1,358 and TelEm staff spent XCG. 104,913, which totals 230,885.
In response to MP York’s question about travel expenditures for consultants engaged by TelEm over the last 12 months, Minister Gumbs stated that these costs totalled XCG 169,602. The information was also received directly from TelEm’s Management.
Gumbs said this reflects a single engagement under the Network Project, demonstrating TelEm’s commitment to minimising external consultancy costs. The Minister further detailed that the costs of the project team included XCG 119,858 for lodging, XCG 39,320 for car rental, and XCG 10,424 XCG for miscellaneous expenses, for a total of 169,602 XCG.
The questions were part of a public session requested by MP Darryl York, focused on oversight and management accountability at TelEm.
