Latest update February 9th, 2025 1:59 PM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Praise for investigative reporting of re-tendering at NDIA

Sep 23, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to your expose on what appears like “insider bidding” at NDIA, front page report captioned “Govt. retenders single project four times for item supplied by only one company” (Sept. 19). This is one of the finest investigative journalist reports explaining how contract bidding could be manipulated. Why re-tendering the same project of procuring sheet piles four times when earlier tendering and bidding had met the requirements? Why put this project to tender when it is sole-sourced? Why not simply pay a commission to a contractor to procure it? From this excellent report, it can be deciphered that selected bidders may be contracted to supply materials that do not meet specs and or provide services for which they are not qualified.
I applaud the reporter (s) and KN for the courage displayed to publish this report. I also note there is nothing libellous in this report. It does not scandalise anyone’s name. It reported facts of what happened and it produced evidence to support the facts. I hope this is a start of an investigative journalist policy exposing questionable practices to force the government into greater accountability and transparency.
Questionable tendering practices do not stop at sheet piling but at almost every bid of every tender in every Ministry. It is now learned that the Agro ministry will allow for VAT exemption on the sheet piling tender. This is unfair to bidders of other projects. Previously, all bids had to include VAT. The new policy will set a precedent for a VAT waiver. Contractors who put in a bid will walk free of the VAT. In fact, information out of the Ministerial Secretariat indicates that VAT waiver will also be given to selected contractors for the pump stations to be built which is unfair to other bidders. Two pump station bids were awarded two weeks ago while other pumping station tenders were cancelled and are being re-tendered.
I am calling on the Auditor General, Attorney General, and Minister of Finance to end this practice of repeated re-tendering and cancellation of VAT. Is there no limit to corrupt practices?

Yours truly,
Jillian Adams

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

SBM Offshore Guyana & VFMA launch Girls in Football Development Program 2025

SBM Offshore Guyana & VFMA launch Girls in Football Development...

Feb 09, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- Vurlon Mills Football Academy Inc and SBM Offshore Guyana launch the second year of the Girls in Football Development Program. February 5, 2025, Georgetown: The Vurlon Mills Football...
Read More
 Imlach and Nandu fifties pilot Harpy Eagles to emphatic 8-wicket win over CCC 

 Imlach and Nandu fifties pilot Harpy Eagles to...

Feb 09, 2025

A look at Government’s boldest investment in sports

A look at Government’s boldest investment in...

Feb 09, 2025

Barker wins big, Khalil and Simpson inch closer to Men’s U45 title

Barker wins big, Khalil and Simpson inch closer...

Feb 09, 2025

Trophy Stall on board Republic Cup three-day softball extravaganza

Trophy Stall on board Republic Cup three-day...

Feb 09, 2025

13-year old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

13-year old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear...

Feb 09, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]