Government engineers could repay for lapsesGovernment employees found guilty of approving incomplete and poor standard contracts could very well end up paying.That is, if Members of Parliament (MPs) had their way.The State’s Auditor General, in examining the accounts of regions and various Ministries, over the years has been finding numerous cases of overpayments and, in some instances, problematic works that were passed and for which final payments were made to contractors.According to the government, overpayments occur when monies are disbursed to contractors for works not done according to specifications.Members of Parliament from both the Government and Opposition sides of the National Assembly, through Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have been examining the Auditor General’s reports and the incidences have been alarming.It has been pointed out in the PAC meetings that the incidences of overpayments could be more widespread than the findings would suggest; as the Auditor General in his examinations of the accounts would only take samples and visit sites to check on the work to ensure that they were completed according to specifications.Yesterday, the PAC was examining Region Five (West Berbice) accounts for the years 2010 and 2011 and being grilled were Regional Executive Officer, Ashford Ambedkar, and several officers, including engineers.The State Auditor’s report for 2010 flagged payments totaling $27,000 and $82,000 made to contractors in respect of the rehabilitation of Belladrum Secondary School and a road leading to the Ithaca Health Centre for 2009. Both sums were recovered.In the 2011 accounts, it was noted that some $1.173M was overpaid to contractors for 2007 and 2010 for four contracts. The regional administration said that the contractor who handled two of the projects has died. The other two are being pursued for repayments.One of the contractors who did rehabilitation works for St. John Street, Hopetown, is not responding to demands for $847,000 in repayment. The Ministry of Local Government is said to be dealing with the matter.The other, who conducted repairs to the Moraikobai Primary School, has said that he does not have the money now to repay.Yesterday, there were questions from both the Government and the Opposition sides.Like, for example, who are the officers responsible for signing off on projects that will pave the way for payments?PAC was told that not only the engineer approves the progress, but also the Works Committee at the regional level also has to approve it before a cheque is issued.It was more than hinted yesterday that overpayments could be as a result of collusions between the engineers, contractors or even higher up.Volda Lawrence, Vice Chair of PAC, believed that an engineer who approves works that is not done to specifications or incomplete, is in reality making a false statement. As such, systems should be introduced that would, in the first instance, “surcharge” the engineer or any other officer who allowed the lapse, whether deliberate or just by being tardy.Bibi Shadick, of the government side and a lawyer by profession, said that contractors have no obligations to repay.After years of the matters being unresolved, in most cases overpayments have been written off, another disclosure that the MPs had issue with.According to Lawrence, the State agencies must prove that they have exhausted all avenues to recover the monies before decisions are taken to write them off.Gail Teixeira, another Government MP, warned that government employees charged with approving works in progress or completed have to be more serious. She too pointed out that after being paid,Cheap Air Jordan Free Shipping, it would be difficult to collect. She urged that disciplinary actions be taken internally.There have been complaints from the Ministry of Local Government that it is finding difficulties in tracking contractors who would have had a bad track record as some of them would operate in different regions and by the time it is realized, it is too late.Yesterday, PAC’s Chairman, Carl Greenidge, urged that engineers undergo more training on their crucial responsibilities.The Accountant General said that his office will be examining the possibilities of whether officials signing off on works could be made to pay. (Leonard Gildarie)
