Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 04, 2013 News
…over $345M in cheque orders outstanding
By Abena Rockcliffe
The Region Six Regional Democratic Council (RDC) came under fire at the latest Public Accounts Committee meeting as representatives were made to answer for over $24M in fuel and lubricants that could not have been accounted for. Also, it was found that the RDC could not account for $345M worth in outstanding cheque orders dating back to 1998.
Both discrepancies were discovered in prior years and reflected in the Auditor General’s (AG) report for those years but reappeared in the 2011 AG report.
However, the Regional Executive Officer has now informed the PAC that measures have been put in place to address both issues.
The issue of the millions in fuel that could not have been accounted for has been dubbed “fuel theft” by the Region but described as “alleged fraud” by the AG.
The Region has sought assistance with the investigations from the Guyana Police Force.
The alleged “fuel theft” occurred between the years 2007 and 2008; which means that those matters would have been addressed in the AG’s 2009 report as well. However, it was not made clear just when the police became involved in the matter.
Odinga Lumumba, the PAC’s government representative, in his pronouncement on general matters relating to the Region that had been cited in the AG’s report, said that lots of people seem to “want to make these agencies their personal pocket piece and it got to stop.” However on this issue, he asked that officials in that Region become sterner to “find out who these people are and fire them because it looks bad on the government’s behalf.”
In the Region’s defense, it was stated that officials received a response from the Commissioner of Police (Ag) Leroy Brumell notifying them that investigations are continuing into the matter and that a full report will follow the interim report submitted in January.
Further, the Region in its written response to the Auditor General’s observations said that the administration has since sent “another reminder dated 2013.01.25 to the Commissioner of Police for the relevant actions to be taken. An acknowledgement letter to this effect has been received.”
In relation to the $345.248M in cheque orders that could not be accounted for, it was specifically pointed out in the AG’s report that the matter has been existing since 1998. It was also noted that 889 cheques were missing.
Cheque orders exist so that spent monies could be accounted for, and the absence of such spells trouble for whichever agency is responsible.
It was stated at the PAC meeting that the Regional Administration has since assigned a clerk to ensure that cheque orders are cleared within the stipulated time.
This move has since resulted in a reduction of the number of outstanding cheque orders being cleared as the present outstanding amount of missing cheque orders stands at 738 ,which still amounts to a whopping $274.8M.
However, it was stated that as of May 2012, the outstanding cheque orders for the year 2011 fluctuated after consideration was given to roll over cheques that were uplifted from the Sub- Treasury, Region 6, in the month of May last year.
“Further, all GUYOIL cheque orders under query for the years 2007 and 2008 respectively were taken to the Auditor General’s Office by the then State Auditor in charge of Region 6 sub-office for the purpose of perusing and aiding the investigation of fuel theft at Whim. These vouchers were never returned to the Regional Administration’s Sub Treasury’s Department and as such could not have been officially retired, hence the large outstanding sums.”
A Regional representative also added that a flood last year resulted in some cheques being destroyed.
He emphasized that internal controls have been introduced to strengthen the system and ensure that the process of handling cheque orders are in accordance with the procurement act of 2003.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews delivered a stellar all-round performance to lead her team to a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first One Day...Kaieteur News – For years, the disciples of Bharrat Jagdeo have woven a narrative of economic success during his tenure... 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]