Surujbally dodges questions,awaits audit findings

GECOM’s radio set fiasco

Dr Steve Surujbally, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which is currently consumed in allegations of deep-rooted corruption, is dodging questions regarding issues of financial irregularities plaguing the electoral body involving the procurement of 50 High Frequency (HF) Communication Radios and stationery from a Water Street businessman.

State auditors earlier this month launched a major probe after the Audit Office of Guyana reportedly noticed discrepancies with the purchasing of 50 VHF communication radios by GECOM for close to $100 million, prior to the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, raising concerns over the extraordinarily high cost of the equipment.

When contacted Monday, Dr Surujbally said he prefers to await the findings of state auditors currently perusing the books of the commission: “We are awaiting the result of the audit; let the auditors tell us that has happened or that has not happened. Let us be clear on a matter. I cannot pronounce on a matter that is still being investigated.”

He went on to attempt to exonerate himself from the fiasco by stating that he is not responsible for the financial affairs of the Commission, but rather the Chief Elections Officer, making particular reference to the 2011 General and Regional Elections from whence some of the fraud allegations stemmed.

“In 2015 when we had the elections, the accounting officer is the Chief Elections Officer,” Dr Surujbally highlighted.

In March 2014, Keith Lowenfield was appointed Chief Elections Officer and continues to serve in that capacity. Lowenfield could not be contacted Monday for a comment as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.

The radio sets were reportedly purchased for use during the 2015 General and Regional Elections, particular in the outlying regions; however, they were never put into use after it was discovered many of them were outdated and non-functional.

GECOM reportedly sought quotations from several suppliers, both local and international, but handed the contract for the supply of the equipment to Mobile Authority, a company owned by a Water Street, Georgetown, businessman.

There were reports that some of the equipment purchased were obsolete and therefore not covered by warranty.

As a matter of fact, sections of the Guyanese media reported that the Australian-based manufacturer, Barrett Communications, distanced itself from the purchase, making it clear that while it had tendered through the Advanced Office Systems for the supply of new radio equipment for the 2015 elections; GECOM subsequently cancelled the order.

Further, the company revealed that it had ceased to produce the equipment more than five years ago.

Many questions are being raised as to why GECOM would choose to purchase such expensive equipment from a small company here and totally ignoring the manufacturer or authorised distributor of the equipment, which have implications for warranty.

Meanwhile, more questionable procurements by the body surfaced at the weekend with fresh reports that the Commission doled out close to another $100 million to M-Tech Business Solutions, another company owned by the same Water Street businessman, this time for the supply of toners used for photocopiers and printers, office furniture and equipment, photo paper and scanners, printing accessories, and even Duracell batteries.

According to reports, based on records available, GECOM may have been involved in some amount of contract splitting.

Already the political Opposition issued a call for a full public disclosure of the final audit report.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s office in a statement, said that it noted with “deep concern” the allegations of irregularity and the implications of corruption in the procurement of the communication equipment and the “the corresponding silence” of both Dr Surujbally, and Lowenfield.