Latest update May 10th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 24, 2016 News
A forensic audit into the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), for the period November 1, 2011 to May 31, 2015 has revealed several instances of irregularities.
The auditors have also made recommendations to be taken into consideration by the Management, Board of Directors, to enable the agency to function efficiently.
Under the heading “Recommendations” the auditors stated that special investigations must be done covering the past four years to examine those contracts which provided for purchase of assets for specific projects, and to determine whether those assets were transferred by contractors to the NDIA after project completion.
The report stated that there are 23 motor vehicles listed as belonging to the agency. These motor vehicles were pick-ups, motor cars, trailers, tractors and SUVs.
The auditors continued that the motor vehicles’ list presented for audit did not include information on acquisition values.
An examination was carried out on the Certificates of Registration which showed that 16 motor vehicles were registered in the name of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), one in the name of NDIA, four were without Registration, and two were in the name of contractors.
Further examination showed that five additional Registrations were in the possession of NDIA. These were registered in the name of MoA and one in the name of a contractor.
The ownership documents are kept by the Administration and Human Resources Manager. However, the auditors stated that the Finance Staff have little or no knowledge of the vehicles owned by NDIA or in the possession of the agency.
The auditors expounded that the vehicles registered in the names of contractors were bought for specific projects and after those Projects were completed, the vehicles were to be transferred to NDIA.
The Finance staff, according to the auditors, provided examples of two specific contracts awarded in August 2014 and October 2014 to contractor Roopan Ramotar Investment for construction of a drainage pump station at Gangaram and Joppa, Corentyne, Berbice.
NDIA assets were provided to the contractor to execute the Projects after which these assets were to be returned to NDIA.
“For instance, the contract awarded in August 2014 provided for the purchase of G$11.5M worth of assets and these are to be transferred to NDIA after completion of the contract.”
The auditors could not confirm whether these assets were returned to the agency however, they referred to a letter that was written by the accountant, Wasir Mohamed, to the Acting Chief Executive Officer on August 11, 2015 captioned “Reporting and Recording NDIA Assets held by Contractors’’.
The letter informed the Acting CEO that it was a breach of administrative and accounting procedures when assets were acquired by NDIA through these contracts and were not reported to the Finance Ministry since these assets would form part of the NDIA’s asset portfolio.
The auditors stated that given the poor quality of Fixed Asset management, it is therefore important that a special investigation be done covering the past four years to examine those contracts which provided for purchase of assets for specific projects, and to determine whether those assets were transferred by contractors to the NDIA after project completion.
The CEO explained to the auditors that there were eight such contracts but this would need to be confirmed and to determine if assets purchased through those contracts were transferred to the NDIA.
It is disgusting that our teachers have to protest in the streets for a…
May 10, 2024
– President Ali visits Guyana National Stadium By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Yesterday, the National Assembly successfully passed the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies Bill, 2024,...Kaieteur News – This column does not respond to criticisms, except where there is misrepresentation of what was said... 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]