| The only two Opposition members on a five- member works committee in Region Three, are calling for an investigation into the issuance of contracts in the Region. They allege that the authorities there are manipulating the system and are giving construction contracts to their friends and families.The councillors say this is being done by altering contracts and withholding information. They are also concerned that all members on the Regional Tender Board represent the government; citing that as a conflict of interest.George Gulliver, who represents A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), said that Opposition members on the Regional Democratic Council’s works committee are being sidelined. He said some contracts are being kept secret, while information for others is being withheld.He explained that the works committee is virtually useless because there is no consultation with the Opposition as it relates to contract issuance. He said that recently, the Regional Executive Officer explained that contracts below $600,000 do not have to go to the Regional Tender Board, but the issuing officer could make the call.As it stands,Cheap NFL Authentic Jerseys, the Procurement Act of 2003 states that construction contracts below $600,000 can be issued by the Head of the Budget Agency responsible for acquiring quotations, if necessary. Above that, the contract goes to the Regional Tender Board and above $9M, to the National Procurement Board.Instead,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, Gulliver alleged, work is being split to fit the $600,Cheap Arizona Coyotes Hoodies,000 requirement and then the contract is issued to whom the allocators choose, which happens to be relatives and close friends. He said Councillors are supposed to scrutinize the contactors’ work, during and after, but even that is not being done.The works committee councillors are also supposed to do their inspection before the final payment is made to the contractor. This would coincide with earlier inspections, but that is not the case. Gulliver added that it is difficult to assess finished work if information about the contractor, the materials and the cost of the contract is being withheld. Most times, he said, they are only given the Bill of Quantity.Gulliver said that the members of the Regional Tender Board, represent the current administration and on questioning it, he was told by the officials that the government decides who sits on the Board. Gulliver said that this is a conflict of interest,Cheap Jerseys From China, since there is no way to ensure accountability,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, honesty and transparency.Harry Narine Deokinanan of Alliance for Change (AFC) told Kaieteur News that several of those contracts are going to named relatives of those sitting on the Council’s hierarchy. He highlighted numerous contracts that were given to affiliates of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), for works including dams and excavation of trenches, the supply of furniture for schools and the repair and construction of small buildings.He added that while there are talks about value for money,Cheap Jerseys Supply, selecting the most cost efficient contractor seems not to be on the agenda. Other contractors are crying out, he said; even when they would have had a lower bid, they are sidelined. One contractor who requested anonymity,NFL Jerseys China, said for the year, he was considered for one contract.Deokinanan continued that documents provided for contracts are presented without names and prices. As of late, the documents are coming with only description and the particulars of the preliminary stages.Deokinanan alleged that Opposition councillors are left to connect the dots about who gets what contract and where the construction work is ongoing. He said that the contracts are being stretched out so that, “ If a contract to clean a trench cost more than $600,000 they will burst it up and give it to who they want.”Last January, nine Opposition members walked out of the regional meeting, citing disrespect by the Regional Chairman and the unwillingness of PPP councillors to work with the Opposition. The Opposition councillors had stated that the situation was causing the Region to suffer. |
