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OP pays consultant US$14,000 per month

Feb 24, 2011 News

…pays US$1000 for rental of Eccles property for Minister

Following the expose on the controversial purchase of 20 laptop computers eyebrows are being raised over certain payments authorised by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Dr. Nanda Gopaul.
At least two of the payments, which this newspaper has been privy to, deal with the rental of a house for a Government Minister and as the consultation fee for a non-Guyanese national linked to the president’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme.
With regards to the OLPF payment, the expatriate consultant, one Steven Grin, reportedly receives US$14,000 per month, while the Office of the President approves US$1000 per month payment for the rental of an Eccles, East Bank Demerara property for Minister Pauline Sukhai.
One observer questioned why is it that taxpayers are being made to pay the hefty sum for a property that the Minister is renting for her personal use and receives allowances of various sorts.
In a memo dated February 1, 2011 from the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President to acting Chief Accountant Pauline James; reference number- OP/PS: R-13/1 under the subject: Payment to Mr. Burnid Briggs, the sum of US$1000 dollars, is being requested.
“Please be informed that approval has been given for payment to be effected to Mr. Burnid Briggs in the sum of one hundred and eighty-three thousand, six hundred dollars ($183,600) which is equivalent to US$900 (R.O.E. US $1.00 = G $204). For the month of January, we would have made a payment in the amount of US$ 800 which did not reflect the increase of US$100, as such this month February it would reflect the amount of US$1000.00.
This amount represents the cost of rental for the month of February 2011, for Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai, for the property which is situated at Lot 128 La Flora Gardens, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, in accordance with the Tenancy Agreement and should be remitted to Bank of Nova Scotia Account No. 10022572,” the memorandum stated
It added, “Kindly charge this expenditure to Programme 011, Head Office Administration, Subcomponent 6241, Rental of Buildings.”
In the second memo seen by this newspaper bearing reference number OP/PS: P – 14 and addressed to Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, the Office of the President again through Dr. Nanda Gopaul, is requesting the sum of US$14,618.
“Dear Minister,
Re: Request for Releases: Office of the President
Reference is hereby made to the abovementioned subject.
Please be informed that the Administration of the Office of the President is hereby requesting the urgent release of funds to pay consultancy fees for the month of December 2010 to Mr. Steven Grin, in the sums of United States Currency fourteen thousand six hundred and eighteen dollars (US $14,618.00) respectively.
This payment falls within the 2011 budget for the Ministry of Finance under the heading ‘Other’, which is covered in the estimates of Public Sector. This category has a budgeted figure of $35M.

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