Opposition Leader Calls for LIU Audit; Director Dominique Noralez Welcomes Transparency

On Tuesday, the Leader of the Opposition, Moses Shyne Barrow, called for an audit of the funds under the Leadership Intervention Unit (LIU).  Dominique Noralez who has been at the head of the unit since June 2023 has responded to the call and has told the media that an audit is never a bad idea.

Dominique Noralez, Chairperson, Leadership Intervention Unit: “First, I think it’s important to establish that I am not a politician, and so I don’t respond to partisan propaganda. Secondly, I’m always open to an audit. It is the government’s funds and if it is something that the Leader of Opposition can galvanize support and to request an audit then by all means my doors are open. My processes are transparent and even more efficient now, given our transition to DigiWallet. In fact all of my employees have been paid since 8:15 this morning, as opposed to six o’clock in the evening when they get cheques. So I’m always open to an audit. I have no problem with that.”

Barrow had also made a claim saying that there were discrepancies at the LIU including a list of persons collecting monies although they have been deceased. Noralez has denied the claim, but did say that when she took office, there were some issues.

Dominique Noralez, Chairperson, Leadership Intervention Unit: “In order to be on the Leadership Intervention Unit program and receive any assistance from us, you have to bring in a Social Security card, which means those people have to be alive. So getting this thing about people being dead and getting paid that’s not the kind of ship I run and my list has been renewed bout two or three weeks ago which is why the transition to the DigiWallet is easier. So everybody has to hand in a Social Security, that is a part of the accountability mechanisms from the central bank to use these e-wallets. And so there is really, there are no complaints to be made. Everyone is alive and everyone is receiving their funds from the LIU.”

Reporter: But before you came on board, what did you find? 

Dominique Noralez, Chairperson, Leadership Intervention Unit: “There were some issues with structure and that has been the first year of my tenure really, fixing the structural issues and making sure my team is up to par with making sure that we can deliver the services that the cabinet paper that brought the LIU to life in visaged. So before there were some structural issues, we’ve since fixed those and we move to the future with renewed vigor.”

In addition to asking for an audit, Barrow says there is the need for an overhaul of the LIU. According to Noralez, the unit currently has 273 employees, ages seventeen to thirty-five.  The program focuses primarily on young men, but there are several women enrolled.