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M&CC‘S secret doling out of $100M clean up contract raises concerns
Over a $100M is earmarked for the Le Repentir restoration project
Officials of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) are facing questions over the doling out of contracts valued at $100 M for cleaning and maintenance works to the Le Repentir Cemetery. The issue came to the fore at the M&CC media tour held on Friday.
The tour of major project sites was spearheaded by M&CC’s Department of Engineering.
During the walk about, Assistant City Engineer, Rashed Kellman, revealed that an overall phase of cemetery restoration amounts to more than $100M. Contracts of that quantum should by law be up for public tender.
A significant part of the contract for the restoration project entails “clearing of all entrances and exits, desilting of drains, weeding tomb areas, grading parapet shoulders. The Engineer was however unable to explain how the contractors were selected for the project.
There are plans to open cemetery roads, install gates, street lights and a new fence. There is also a proposal to create more burial space.
The engineer said that a major challenge is residents dumping solid waste in different parts of the cemetery. “We ask residents to desist from this because it puts a burden on us.”
The ongoing renovations at the Solid Waste Management office on Princes Street are also a part of the plan. Upgrades include plumbing and electrical installation, the rebuilding of offices spaces and re-installation of windows.
However, when faced with questions, Kellman was also unable to give pertinent information on the tender process for the $100M contract. The project has since raised eyebrows amongst members of the Council, many of whom noted that this was the first time they have been made aware of the cost of the project.
“We knew that works were being carried out to restore the Cemetery but when questions were raised the Council was only given certain financial details of project,” a Councillor speaking on the condition of anonymity, related.
He noted that the Council is only made aware of certain aspects of the project. “Those contractors have been awarded quietly without the knowledge of the council; only the M&CC Finance committee can speak for what happened here. Except for those at the administrative level of City Hall, no one can really say how the money is being spent.”
This is not the first time that the financial management of City Hall has raised eyebrows.
The Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 of the laws of Guyana requires all accounts of the Municipal and District Councils to be made up yearly to the end of the financial year by the Treasurer of the council.
These accounts are to be made up no later than four months after the end of the financial year to which they are related, for auditing by the Auditor General soon after.
According to the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 of the laws of Guyana, Section 176, the responsibility for submitting Financial Statements for the councils lies solely with the Treasurer of the councils. The council has been in violation.
Last year, during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Communities, Emil McGarrell, supported by staff of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council touched on the issues of outstanding Financial Statements of the municipalities.
An Auditor General’s report had revealed that Georgetown Mayor and City Council had not submitted Financial Statement for 2006-2013 and 2015, during the tenure of Mayor Hamilton Green.
During this period also, Central Government under the previous Government, had been releasing monies to City Council.
McGarrell had explained that the failure of the council to submit these statements is a problem of poor financial management. He explained that this is a challenge that has several root causes including the financial standing of the councils to employ the necessary skills, needed for effective management.
“If you do an analysis of the officers holding the position (of) Treasurer in most of the councils, it will let you know that you need to do more work to attract greater skills,” McGarrell said.
He noted that the issue is further exacerbated by the fact that the councils, not the ministry, have the responsibility for appointing these officers.
The Ministry has started discussions with the Auditor General’s Office on a strategy to empower the councils to improve their financial management capabilities.
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