Luncheon says auditor in NCN report overstepped terms of reference

Apr 24, 2014 News

“I would want to believe that the matter would have died…. but it obviously comes up,” was Dr. Roger Luncheon’s response to questions about when the National Communications Network report highlighting numerous irregularities at the entity would be available.
The Cabinet Secretary at a press conference, yesterday, said that he would suspect that there may be some “imminent intervention and revelations” that would bring the matter again to the fore.
According to Dr Luncheon, whether the outcome of the special investigation and the recommendation of the auditor, have been accepted decisions have been taken with regards to the event.
He said that since the report there have been few “resignations and the unemployment” of two parties at NCN whose functions were pinpointed at the report. Luncheon said that neither of the two remained within the employ of NCN. He further noted that Government has not gone further.
Luncheon said that what was submitted by the auditor as his recommendation and the specific terms of reference continue to be a source of concern.
“In my opinion, he overstepped his terms of reference and more than likely that has caused the delay,” Luncheon stated.
Back in March President Donald Ramotar at a press conference had said that he was not prepared to answer questions about the report.
“I wasn’t prepared for that question at this point in time…But I would probably look in and see if I could give you an answer after,” the President had stated.
That report was submitted about two years ago to the Office of the President for action. In March 2013, Ramotar had told media operatives that he was “surprised” that the matter had not yet been concluded.
He had said that the matter is being handled and it would be concluded in the near future. However, it is now questionable what “near future” means to the President, or whether he is willing to stamp out the perception of corruption.
The investigation into the irregularity was confined to the Terms of Reference that sought to ascertain the relationship between Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and NCN.
In a leaked report – prepared during the first half of 2012 – it was revealed that on the part of NCN, one area of irregularity was traced back to GT&T and involved millions of dollars in advertisements.
NCN’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Sattaur, resigned in June 2012. The entity’s Programme Manager, Martin Goolsarran, who admitted that he had deposited the payment cheque from the telephone company into his personal account, was suspended without pay.
However, findings of the investigations submitted to Ramotar would determine the future of the two men. Many are waiting to see whether the findings would engage any legal action.
Without revealing details of the investigations, Ramotar said he would like to see accountability at NCN, which will help with confidence and credibility.

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Luncheon says auditor in NCN report overstepped terms of reference

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