NDIA committees failed to carry out their mandates

NDIA committees failed to carry out their mandates – Audit Report

Jun 17, 2016 News

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Act No. 10 of 2004 provides for the appointment of Committees to help the Board meet its obligations as outlined in the Act; however, a forensic audit into the agency has indicated that these committees failed to carry out their mandates – terms of reference.
The audit report stated that based on the Board minutes of March, 2011, two committees were appointed: The Works and Tender Committee and the Finance and Administration Committee. In March 2013 two similar committees were again appointed and reconstituted, the Finance and Administrative Committee and the Works Committee.

WORKS COMMITTEE
The report stated that according to the Board Minutes of December 14, 2011, The Works Committee visited the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Northern Relief which at that time, was under construction at Hope/Dochfour.
The committee also visited the Greenfield pumping station and sluice and the Abary and Cottage Sluices. On December 20 and 23, 2013, the Committee met to discuss the Pineground Project and on January 27, 2015, the Works Committee met to discuss the construction of the pump station at Vriendschap and to review findings of the purchase of controversial sheet piles. The minutes were available for the Works Committee meetings held on those dates, the auditors stated.
However, outside of these activities, the report stated that the Committee scarcely addressed its terms of reference which included critical areas such as the review designs; review of bills of quantities; specifications of works to be undertaken by NDIA and to make recommendations to the Board; provide advice in relation to planning, coordination and execution of capital works; and infrastructure programme; recommend work priorities for capital projects; provide quarterly reports among many other tasks and responsibilities.
An evaluation of the terms of reference of the Works Committee against what was actually done showed that the committee failed to comply with its terms of reference.

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
The Finance and Administrative Committee – was tasked with investigating one issue at a committee meeting on December 30, 2014.
On February 13, 2015, the Chairman of the Administrative and Finance Committee provided a comprehensive report on the issue for the Board’s consideration and acceptance. No decision was taken on the recommendation up to the last Board meeting held for period under review.
Other than this assignment, the audit report stated that the Finance and Administrative Committee “never really” addressed its terms of reference which included matters critical to financial governance; including: overseeing the financial affairs of NDIA, recommend the annual budget, review the annual financial statements and make recommendations as necessary, ensure that assets are properly managed, review quarterly accounts and make recommendations, oversee the strategic planning and review accounting and auditing procedures.
The auditors stated that given the scope and importance of the role of the Finance and Administrative committee in setting sound financial governance practices, it “certainly failed” during its tenure to deliver on its mandate and its ineffectiveness contributed to the myriad problems identified in the NDIA report.

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