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Millions of dollars in textbooks poorly stored at Book Distribution Unit
In 2016, more than $500M was allocated to the Ministry of Education for the acquisition of textbooks for nursery, primary and secondary schools.
A recently-released Audit Office of Guyana-conducted a Compliance Audit Report -Procurement of Textbooks by the Ministry of Education by the Audit Office of Guyana- it unearthed several worrying procurement breaches.
One of the areas that the state auditors examined was the Book Distribution Unit, located in Evans Street, Charlestown.
A physical inspection of the unit’s bond revealed what auditors said was worrying. Textbooks were found on the floor. The racks and shelves were dusty, posing a clear health hazard.
The Evans Street, Charlestown-based Book Distribution Unit.
With the Charlestown area prone to flooding, auditors said that the bottom flat of the bond is at the same level as the yard, posing a problem.
“This is a breach of the Book Policy, which states that “adequate and appropriate facilities should be in place to ensure safe and secure storage of books. This may include a repository with book racks/shelves and pallets to prevent ground moisture and destruction,” the audit report said.
The report also disclosed that the Coordinator of the Book Distribution Unit was not familiar with the procurement documents.
“Further, the Book Distribution Unit was not aware of the supply requirements of the contracts. Moreover, the unit was not aware of the quantities of books it should be receiving against any particular contract. In addition, the manner and environment in which textbooks were stored presented a health and safety hazard.”
It would mean that auditors were unable to determine whether all the books ordered were delivered.
According to the report, the ministry did not offer contracts for a number of payments and there was little evidence that suppliers of textbooks even submitted security bonds which are needed in case there are problems and the ministry need to claim costs.
There was also evidence of overpayments and even prices doubled on some contracts.
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