Dear Editor,
I write responding to a letter penned by P E Mentore captioned ‘Situation in the Paradise Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society has not changed’ (SN, March 5) and to other similar letters recently.
The Ministry of Labour, Human Services & Social Security wishes to state that there was some delay in contracting an audit firm to conduct the audit of the Paradise Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society.
Initially, the firm Ram & McRae was contacted to conduct the audit for the Paradise Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society. However, after a preliminary assessment of the work to be undertaken, the firm declined to undertake the audit of the society’s records. Subsequently, another firm, Parmesar & Company, was contacted and they agreed to audit the society’s records.
Additionally, Parmesar has completed the audit of the Paradise Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society’s records as at 31st December 2011 and this report is currently being studied.
The Paradise Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society has been a problem institution for quite a while. We recognize that it will take some time to fix it. All is not well but steps are being taken to regularize the society. This is not a quick fix solution.
It’s a large society with problems dating back nearly three decades. Some of the members writing for redress have themselves being violating the rules, and have failed to honour their financial obligations, etc.
We will work to fix this society but need the support of everyone.
The government has given every help to ensure basic infrastructure works are in place. The society should have been able to carry those functions but was unable to do so.
Yours faithfully,
Patrick Findlay
Deputy Permanent
Secretary
