‘Mystery official’ vanishes with financial records

Jun 20, 2010 News

Region One Chairman, Fermin Singh, who ordered that the Matarkai Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) present audited reports of the toll monies collected for the use of roads, is yet to collect the records for 2007 and 2008.

Singh told this newspaper yesterday that he has been in contact with the Chairperson of the NDC who said that the records were uplifted by some “officials” some time ago.

Regional Chairman Fermin Singh

He said that the Chairperson had undertaken to verify the identity of the official who uplifted the documents.

According to reports, scores of receipts are missing and that the NDC officials have been granted some time to present whatever outstanding documentation is being requested.

Officials who chose to speak on the basis of anonymity have expressed their fears that this extended time could allow for the missing documents to be forged.

The request for the documents by Singh stems from reports of suspected corruption at the NDC level to the tune of millions

Reports are being leveled against a former senior council official, who reportedly managed to receive some $4.5M for works that were never carried out.

According to Singh, the money involved did not make up a part of any subventions given to the NDC. He said that all monies given to the NDC by way of subventions have been accounted for.

He told this newspaper that at present the police have not been called in. “To do so would be a premature act,” Singh emphasized.

Should the audit reveal any wrongdoing on the part of the official acting in concert with any other officials, Singh assures that the police will be called in.

The residents of the Matarkai NDC had expressed their worry at revelations that a former senior official owes the Council $4.5M for what appears to be an accumulated amount handed over to him over a period of time.

What is even more disturbing is that the same official who is no longer aligned with the Council is still being awarded contracts to undertake works in the sub region. The information was uncovered and ventilated at a recent Council meeting.

There are now calls for the Audit Office to investigate and ascertain whether the money owed is far more, given the fact that several records have gone missing.

The money owed to the Council was also previously not included in the financial statements of the Council. According to Singh, the financial statements of monies received from tolls were not submitted for some time now.

The residents are also calling for a criminal investigation into the situation and to file charges if necessary.