Latest update January 30th, 2025 6:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

US$10M earmarked for Govt. to illegally purchase drugs – Murray

Feb 19, 2009 News

Shadow Finance Minister Winston Murray yesterday argued in his presentation in the National Assembly that despite being highlighted via the Auditor General’s reports and outcries by the Public Accounts Committee, the government has once again earmarked some US$10M to purchase drugs for the country through illegal means.

Murray expanded by pointing out to the House that by a Cabinet decree in 2003, a decision was taken contrary to the existing law, namely the Procurement Act, that all drug purchases must be made through the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (NGPC).

“This is not only a brazen illegality but it robs the country of an opportunity to ensure that it gets value for money.”

The most recent Auditor General’s report stated that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), which is now a separate entity from the Ministry of Health, continued to use the ministry’s Cabinet approval to purchase drugs and medical supplies from specialised agencies both locally and overseas.

It was explained that, before the Procurement Bill was passed in Parliament in 2004, the Health Ministry would seek Cabinet’s approval for the purchase of the drugs and medical supplies, which, according to the Health Minister, was legal.

However, when the Procurement Bill was enacted into law in 2004, the ministry had to receive the approval from the tender board.

This was not done, as the ministry continued to seek Cabinet’s consent. In essence, the Health Ministry was effectively breaking the law when it did not seek the tender board approval for the purchase of drugs and medical supplies totalling hundreds of millions of dollars.

 

RAMPANT CORRUPTION

According to Murray, not once in the Budget presentation did the Finance Minister mention corruption in the public sector. “Perhaps the use of that word is taboo,” he opined.

Murray stated that whether or not the issue is mentioned, the people of Guyana see corruption as endemic and a major factor in denying them better projects and quality of service.

In response to the president’s position of pointing out evidence of corruption, Murray cited the recent investigation at GRA and the admonishment that the Local Government Minister leveled at some regional officials to work within the confines of the law.

Murray also drew reference to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index for 2008 in which Guyana was granted a score of 2.5 out of 10 and was ranked 121 out of 163 countries.

He did also point out that a score of three and below suggested that there was a perception of rampant corruption.

The Shadow Finance Minister also reminded the House of the visit to Guyana by the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) where the country was encouraged to join that group, but to date this has not happened.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Anna Regina Secondary reign supreme

Anna Regina Secondary reign supreme

Jan 30, 2025

-CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited GTTA/MOE Schools TT C/chips a resounding success Kaieteur Sports- The CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Ministry of...
Read More
Fifties from Forde, Drakes, McCaskie give Barbados edge heading into Day 2 versus Eagles 

Fifties from Forde, Drakes, McCaskie give...

Jan 30, 2025

CANOC Executive Committee gathers in Guyana for pivotal Annual Retreat

CANOC Executive Committee gathers in Guyana for...

Jan 30, 2025

Dujon questions CWI over “surprise’ axing of coach Coley

Dujon questions CWI over “surprise’...

Jan 30, 2025

Wills, Bahabur, Johnson shine at GTTA Novice Championship

Wills, Bahabur, Johnson shine at GTTA Novice...

Jan 30, 2025

Guyanese boxers shine at T&T National Boxing Championships

Guyanese boxers shine at T&T National Boxing...

Jan 29, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]