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In an attempt to pre-empt a planned shutdown by maxi taxi operators contracted by the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC), Education Minister Anthony yesterday said every effort is being made to ensure they are paid by the end of the week.
He said the Ministry is not to blame for the late payment since invoices for the drivers were only submitted by the PTSC on April 20. However there are claims that the delay was due to the PTSC being asked by the Ministry to verify the drivers’ claims.
Garcia said the ministry wanted to ensure claims made are in accordance with the work done. This includes checking that the number of trips made and the number of students transported are in accordance with the claims that have been made, he explained.
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure that we have quick payments,” he said.
Garcia said after finding a $1.7 million discrepancy in payments for October, November and December 2017, the Ministry is taking no chances
“We are carefully scrutinising the invoices that we received for payment,” he said, adding that the PTSC has reimbursed to the Ministry $1.7 million in over-invoicing and is working “assiduously” on submitting invoices for February and March.
President of the Maxi Taxi Concessionaires Association Rodney Ramlogan said it was the first time in 28 years the drivers were experiencing such hardship to get paid.