The newly formed Board of Directors of the Grenada National Lottery Authority (GNLA) is concerned over the use of its funds to help upkeep the National Sporting stadium at Queen's Park.
An informed source told GRENADA TODAY that the authority contributes in excess of $30, 000 each month to the stadium for rent and to pay a security company that is hired to look after the facility.
According to the source, GNLA pays out approximately $23, 000.00 to the security firm that is detailed to work at the Sports Stadium and another $8000.00 in fees as rental for office space to conduct its business.
He described the arrangements as highly unusual in that a company that is renting from another is being called upon to pay for the entire security arrangement of its landlord.
He said it appears that GNLA was being used as a "milking cow" by the previous government of Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell to help upkeep the sports stadium.
The stadium is also said to be owing thousands of dollars to GRENLEC for the supply of electricity.
The source pointed out that the existing arrangement between GNLA and the Stadium would come up for discussions at the inaugural sitting of the new Board of Directors of the authority which is expected sometime this week.
Manager of the Paint Division of Geo F. Huggins, Lingham Samuel has been appointed by the new government of Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas as Chairman of the new Lottery board.
GNLA was formed to help with the development of sports, culture and national building in Grenada.
Another official told GRENADA TODAY that the authority is also awaiting a legal opinion from Attorney-General, Jimmy Bristol on the status of Managing Director of GNLA, Kenneth "Smallies" Noel, a political activist of the former New National Party (NNP) of ex-Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell.
Supporters of the victorious National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been calling for the axing of Noel from the job given his role in the just-ended general elections as a frontline platform speaker for former Health Minister, Ann David-Antoine in the battle for the South St. George constituency.
The official said it appears on the surface that Noel's appointment is illegal since the act governing the operations of the authority makes no provision for a Managing Director.
He spoke of the act stipulating that the authority should have a General Manager to look after its affairs.
Noel who was a director of the state-run body was elevated to the newly created post of Managing Director to take charge of the authority from its General Manager, Cheri Stephen-Cromwell who was said to be under performing on the job.
Stephen-Cromwell who was first hired by GNLA as its Accountant before landing the top job has been relegated to the post of Manager with special responsibility for the Staff.
