GMC, crusher run procurement among 700 projects under audit

…Guyana among countries affected

Recent controversies at the new Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), as well as the procurement of crusher run for public projects and the distribution of pension books, are among a whopping 700 projects currently being looked at by the Audit Office of Guyana.
During the handover of the 2023 Auditor General report on Monday, Auditor General Deodat Sharma revealed that as much as 700 projects are currently being examined by his office. When it comes to the recent controversy at the new GMC, which involves reports of alleged smuggling of chickens and eggs, Sharma said this has been forwarded to his office and is being investigated.
“With respect to the Guyana Marketing Corporation, through the Agriculture Ministry, yes it has been forwarded to us, and we are presently investigating that matter,” Sharma informed the media.
“I’ve increased the engineering department to look at those and I did mention that instead of looking at 422 projects, we’re now looking at around 700 projects. So, we are improving in terms of looking at all those cradles to grave projects.”
It had been announced a little over a week ago, that a special projects manager and an accountant at the GMC, were being investigated as a probe continues to clarify certain irregularities and discrepancies within the agency.
The Agriculture Ministry in a statement had said that subject Minister Zulfikar Mustapha initiated the probe, though this had been disputed by GMC head Teshawna Lall, who had said it was her who initiated the probe.
Nonetheless, the ministry had indicated that the investigation was a transparent process to ensure accountability and rectify any administrative lapses. The Ministry went on to say it believes that the timing of a misleading social media post was unfortunate, as it seemed intended to distract from the ongoing investigation at the agency.
That social media post had alleged that fraud is taking place at the Agriculture Ministry with regard to the sale of “$150 million worth of chicken and eggs”, pointing fingers at senior personnel in the Ministry.

Other matters
Meanwhile, Sharma revealed that other matters involving the procurement of crusher run and pension books, are also being investigated by his office. A few days ago, it had been announced that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) would be investigating the encashment of fake pension and permanent disability books at post offices.
It had been discovered that these books lack security features and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security had urged post offices and other payment venues to be on alert for persons looking to encash such books.
“Mr. Speaker, the Audit Act gives the Auditor General the mandate to carry out special audits. I am presently conducting special audits into the supply of crusher run and issuing of old age pension and public assistance booklets,” Sharma explained.
When it comes to the crusher run, the Guyana Government had disclosed earlier this year that the Audit Office is examining contracts awarded through open tendering as well as single sourcing processes to regulate the supply of aggregates to meet growing demands.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the Public Works Ministry, which explained that the management of the aggregates was being handled by a team using peer reviewed standard operating procedures and supported by substantial laboratory testing coupled with intermittent audits, both by internal and external parties. (G3)