CHARGES OF FRAUD PENDING

Feb 27, 2017 Editorial

Almost every day, the nation is being bombarded about the corrupt practices at NICIL and other state agencies, but after spending close to $200 million on audits, the government has not charged anyone of consequence. Several audit reports on NICIL have revealed that billions of dollars are either missing or unaccounted for. And even though the head of NICIL and his deputy have misled the nation on several financial transactions conducted by NICIL, they have been sent on leave without being prosecuted
It seems that the audits will continue indefinitely. As reported, the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) is currently conducting 86 different investigations into NICIL. The government seems confused and appears to be backing down from its campaign promise to file charges against those allegedly involved in corruption. The audit reports on NICIL have found some major discrepancies about the reckless and corrupt use of billions of dollars on the Marriott Hotel without the benefit of a feasibility study to determine its economic and long-term viability. NICIL’s involvement in the Berbice Bridge is suspicious, and the use of public funds to develop the land at Pradoville Two which benefited an ex-president, ex-ministers and their friends, has violated Articles 216 and 217 of the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. As the investigation into NICIL continues, many are wondering when it will end.
Several audit reports have revealed that in the last fifteen years, the country’s procurement rules and regulations were blatantly abused by the last government. Many government departments did not follow the criteria in the Procurement Act. As a result, they discriminated against particular contractors and suppliers and awarded contracts to relatives and friends as opposed to the lowest evaluated bids. Their failure to adhere to the rules of the Procurement Act proved to be very costly to the country.
Audit reports also found that poor procurement practices were deeply entrenched in almost every state agency. It paints a picture of chronic abuse of the system over the last decade and half. It is estimated that at least G$28 billion or US$140 M has been lost annually during the last decade due to the abuse of the procurement system. However, under this government, there has been less abuse of the Procurement Act.
Based on the audits, there have been several instances of fraud and malpractices committed by the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), which has flouted the Procurement Act. The CEO did not follow the guidelines in the Procurement Act and instead made decisions that were inconsistent with the practice of bids and purchases, most of which were sole sourced. More troubling was the fact that most of the transactions conducted by the CEO of GO-Invest were not documented.
From all indications, the Procurement Act 2003 was honored more in the breach than in adherence to the rules of the Act. Under the former CEO, GO-Invest had no accounting system in place to properly document its financial transactions such as purchases and payments of items. Given all the corrupt practices by NICIL, gross violations by government departments and agencies and the breaches of the Procurement Act by GO-Invest, yet there is no evidence that disciplinary action of any kind had been meted out to anyone by the last administration.
The forensic audits launched by the government have provided evidence of the pilfering of state funds, but the perpetrators have not been charged. It is time for the government to prosecute those found culpable of alleged corruption. Justice must be done to prevent such abuse and lawlessness of state resources in the future. No one should be spared because of their status or wealth. Everyone should be prosecuted for wrongdoing. The average person is being incarcerated for petty crimes, but the elites who have embezzled billions of dollars are allowed to go free. However, as reported, charges of fraud against the former government officials including ministers are pending.

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