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Monies still unaccounted for at NCN
… “Grey Areas”being probed, will inform any police involvement – Dr Prem Misir
The probe launched by the National Communications Network Inc (NCN) was centered “only” on allegations of financial irregularities surrounding the State-owned media entity and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company’s Jingle and Song Competition.
This was the official word from Dr Prem Misir who serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors at NCN.
He told this publication yesterday that while the probe centered solely on transactions related to this issue, several other deficiencies at NCN were uncovered and he conceded that “there are still some grey areas.”
Chairman of the Board of Directors of NCN, Dr. Prem Misir
Dr. Misir said that while there were intimations for police involvement earlier in the probe, the company would like to verify, internally, what had transpired, before calling in the police, and reminded that at present some money is still to be accounted for.
He was speaking to a payment made to NCN by GT&T. It is unclear where the money is, he said.
Dr Misir said that today NCN will continue its probe with a view to locating the money. He was quick to point out that it is not a case where it has been determined that the money is missing, but rather at this point it is unaccounted for.
While he could not at the time speak specifically to the Chief Executive Officer Mohamed ‘Fuzzy’ Sattaur’s resignation, Dr Misir said that it was a failure to adhere to standard and proper accounting practices that would allow for a cheque intended for NCN to find its way into Programme Manager Martin Goolsarran’s private account.
He said that Goolsarran has paid a penalty for his involvement in the financial irregularities, even as NCN continues its internal investigations.
He did emphasise that this is not something that could have happened without the knowledge of ranks at NCN’s hierarchy above Goolsarran.
According to Dr Misir, it is clear that there was a ‘major screw-up’ in terms of adherence to internal accounting standards. He did remind that it was the budget cuts that sparked the initial probe when NCN was taking stock of its accounts.
On Friday, last, the CEO of the state-owned NCN, Mohamed ‘Fuzzy’ Sattaur tendered his resignation. He was faced with a simple request from President Donald Ramotar, “Resign or be fired.”
Following the probe into the financial irregularities, NCN’s Board of Directors, headed by Dr. Misir, made several recommendations to the Minister of Information, who in this case happens to be Head of State, Donald Ramotar.
This publication understands that the probe unearthed the fact that there were severe managerial problems at the state-owned company hence, the recommendations which included severing ties with Sattaur.
Sattaur, who is also the administrator of a number of the ruling PPP’s entities, including Red House and Heritage House, was suspended by the NCN board of directors headed by Dr. Prem Misir, following claims of insubordination some time ago.
However, he was reinstated by the then President Bharrat Jagdeo who had intervened in the matter.
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