Full review of NPTAB staff to stamp out “skulduggery” – Edghill

Public Works Minister with responsibility for finance Juan Edghill has indicated that there would be a full review of the staffers at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in an effort to wipe out “skulduggery” .

The Minister made the statement while delivering the charge to the new Board.
Tarachand Balgobin has been appointed temporary Chairman of the Board, while Bernard Lord, Desmond Mohamed, Omar Narine, Steve Ninvalle, Mark Conway, and Gloria Beharry will serve as members.
Edghill charged the Board to ensure contracts were awarded in a timely manner. While congratulating the new members, the Minister noted that collectively they have years of experience.
While laying out his expectations for the new Board, the Minister said, “Your job, primarily in the first instance, would be to uphold the high principles of ensuring transparency, accountability, competitive bidding, good governance, value for money and ensuring that you create an architecture that is free from corruption.”
In addition, he told the team that he anticipated the timely awarding of contracts to boost the percentage of projects’ implemented. On that note, Edghill tasked the new Board to review the evaluators attached to the NPTAB, with a view of ensuring that the work was done promptly.
He explained that time delays may be occurring at the evaluating level and must not be allowed to continue. Furthermore, he pointed out that evaluators must be reminded that they work for the Government of Guyana and not for contractors, hence a full review of staff would be conducted to stamp out skulduggery.
Balgobin and other Board Members expressed thanks to Minister Edghill for demonstrating confidence in them and vowed to fulfil their duties to the best of their abilities.