Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 22, 2014 News
The long awaited Auditor General’s report on alleged corrupt practices at the National Drainage and Irrigation
Authority (NDIA) is expected to be completed by next week with appropriate actions to follow, assures Dharamkumar Seeraj, Chairman of NDIA’s Board.
According to Seeraj, a draft report has been completed. About two weeks ago Lionel Wordsworth, Chief Executive Officer of NDIA, who is at the centre of the investigations, was interviewed by Auditors attached to the Audit Office to rectify some issues raised during the investigations.
Seeraj said that he is not alarmed by the length of time the Audit Office took to complete investigations and compile the final report, since it is a special audit rather than the routine audit. He explained that much information about the investigations has not been released to him since it was only when he inquired of the report, Wordsworth told him of the interview.
In 2012, NDIA’s then Field Auditor compiled a report accusing Wordsworth and the Senior Section Engineer, Aneel Chowbay of being involved in corrupt practices. The Field Auditor recommended the duo’s dismissal. That report was leaked to the media.
The report was addressed to Seeraj in his capacity as Chairman of the Board and carbon copied to President Donald Ramotar. The report speaks of conflict of interest and sole sourcing of services, such as the supply of fuel and the awarding of contracts to relatives of senior NDIA operatives, in breach of national procurement procedures.
NDIA deemed the report as mischievous, misleading and aimed at damaging the image of the Authority for personal gains and aspirations. Because the auditor skipped protocol by sending the damning report to Ramotar he was subsequently sent on leave. Chowbay is no longer employed with NDIA.
In November 2012, Seeraj told this publication that there were procedural breaches at the entity. However, the Audit Office would have to determine if those breaches and other malpractices could be classified as corruption, he added.
According to the Chairman, once the report shows that someone deliberately attempted to fraud the Authority for personal gains, that person will be fired. However, if there are managerial mistakes, the culpable managers would be disciplined.
Nonetheless, it should be noted that mistakes do occur and the report would allow the board to correct those mistakes, he said.
Seeraj boasted that NDIA has already taken steps to improve its accountability. He said that NDIA’s finances are now delinked from the Ministry of Agriculture. For years the Auditor General has been recommending that NDIA must take control of its own finances.
According to Seeraj, when NDIA was created the agency was expected to be semi-autonomous but capacity building and appropriate accounting software were necessary. After hiring additional staff, training of existing personnel and acquisition of accounting software, NDIA is in control of its own finances.
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 24, 2024
Round 2 GFF Women’s League Division One Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Police Force FC on Saturday last demolished Pakuri Jaguars FC with a 17 – 0 goal blitz at the Guyana Football...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]