Has GPL’s board turned to single sourcing?

Jul 04, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
I have been taking note in recent years your newspaper’s coverage of corruption and our public system for procurement.
It has become clear that while there was the perception that politicians and office bearers took bribes from new businesses for concessions and other considerations, it was the handling of public contracts that proved to be the biggest scam.
There are many persons, including staffers, who see what is taking place but are afraid to say anything. We can look right within the Guyana Power and Light Inc.
This entity handles billions of dollars annually in order to provide a reliable power supply. Its expansion program to cater for the growing demand for power has seen billions being spent. But there are questions now. Mr. Editor, all is not well at GPL. Yes, we have new management. We have a new Board of Directors, headed by businessman Robert Badal. We were promised that
GPL would start doing business in a more accountable manner.
Sad to say, it seems we are heading in a direction that will only lead down a dark path again and one cannot help but think about corruption.
Recent announcements seem to be all about single sourcing. Concerns have been expressed by our senior managers and executive management that the some items being single sourced were never tendered.
We have a serious problem with GPL’s procurement of items and parts now.
Customers have been complaining bitterly of waiting for months for meters. Yes, Mr. Editor, we have a shortage of meters. People are being told “today,” “tomorrow”.
We are learning that to meet the demand, GPL has decided to sole source line hardware spares and meters. We all know in the past that sole sourcing has been linked to corruption. How do we guarantee that we are getting quality with the right specifications? What about the best possible prices?
Mr. Editor, single sourcing is a recipe for major corruption and it seems that the new board is either not aware of the pitfalls or are hell bent on going in a different direction.
I appeal to Minister David Patterson to look into this matter since I don’t think he is aware of what is happening under his nose. Perhaps the Auditor General should also investigate. Recently, there was a major tender out for line hardware. A few bidders wrote letters of protest, because one which has been tendering for many years have two related companies tendering with two prices. One then drops out if the price is too high once the other gets it. This is a very corrupt practice and one can only surmise that it could be facilitated with the help of evaluators.
In Brazil recently there was a big scandal with their oil company “Petrobras.” The consequences to the Government go all the way to the top with a recent decision to impeach the country’s leader. One cannot help but feel that the new board wants to run GPL in this manner. While it can be argued that the intentions are for the best, the reality is that the rule of the land or regulations should take precedence with strict adherence with the Procurement Act.
Mr. Editor, all is not well with GPL’s board and its Chairman, Mr Badal, needs to be reminded that there are procedures and accountability.
People are paying attention. The new board and its Chairman should do everything in their power to avoid being labeled as corrupt. Mr. Minister, please investigate what is happening.
Concerned GPL staffer

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