PPC rejects Patterson’s criticism of work as “wholly unfounded”

May 14, 2023 News

Kaieteur News – The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) has with “deep concern” refuted the criticism leveled against it by Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member, David Patterson.

PPC Chairperson, Pauline Chase

Patterson had criticised the PPC for lacking leadership and failing to carry out core functions in an article published recently by the Kaieteur News.

According to the PPC, the article is riddled with inaccuracies, machinations, unfounded personal attacks, incomprehensible conclusions, spurious allegations, and misleading statements.

“The reprehensible attack on the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the commission by their singling out appears to be of a personal nature and wholly unfounded as there is no minority decision of theirs which has been given effect,” the PPC said on Friday.

The Commission noted that it comprises of nominees by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) and were appointed after a rigorous Parliamentary process, securing unanimous approval in the National Assembly.

AFC Executive member, David Patterson

“We take the opportunity to remind that none of the Commissioners have ever been charged with or have pending criminal or other such matters of moral turpitude before the Courts in any jurisdiction.”

The PPC statement said that members of the Commission, and particularly, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson “are professionals in their respective fields with due respect and have head and do head other bodies, including civil society and charitable bodies, with distinction.”

The Commission noted the allegation and or insinuation that there is some attempt by the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson and or the Commission as a whole, to undermine the effectiveness of the PPC is “scandalous, far from the truth, wholly without merit and without any logical basis whatsoever”.

“As previously stated by the Commission by way of public statement issued on 24th April, 2023, the matters which Mr. Patterson has raised with the Commission are under active consideration and are awaiting legal advice, the particulars of which Mr. Patterson continues to misrepresent in the public domain,” the body said in statement.

Added to this the PPC said that it has never received a request from Mr. Patterson to meet in person and there is nothing compelling the Chairperson to meet him in person and privately, particularly while a matter emanating from him is pending before the Commission. Further, the PPC said that Patterson did not state to what end he wishes to meet personally and privately with the Chairperson.

The PPC said, “We are sensitive that persons may hold the view that their matter and or the function of the commission related to their matter is the most important. However, the commission gives all of its functions equal weight and importance as the constitution does not give precedence to any one function over another.”

According to the body, all complaints brought to the commission have been addressed some to finality and others still under active consideration.

“We remind that the PPC is an independent and impartial constitutional body and is not subject to the dictates, instruction, fancy, intimidation, political control, direction, impetuosity and or will of any individual and or body. It is unfortunate that the Commission, in the matter of days, is once again compelled to answer in the public domain, inaccurate, ill-advised and unfounded statements emanating from the same source, as the commission has in the past restrained from so doing, and is not inclined to make a practice,” The PPC said.