A high-level team has been appointed to investigate allegations on the misappropriations in the management and reselling of Government’s asphalt, and it’s connection to the Ministry of Public Works internal staff.
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Kenneth Jordan, made the appointment yesterday.
It was announced that Chateram Ramdihal will be the team leader, while the other team members are; Heidi Gillette, Brion Singh, and Dexter Smith.
The Team is expected to conduct a thorough investigation back dating from 2013 to present. The investigation is expected to be completed within one months’ time.
Amongst other things discussed, the team was tasked to: investigate the veracity of the allegations; examine the systems at the Plant; and find out its reliability and weaknesses which would allow for malpractices to be capitalized upon.
Minister Edghill charged the team to examine all aspects of the Corporation so as to get down to the last strand of detail as it relates to the allegations highlighted.
He emphasised that at the end of this investigation, systems must be implemented to ensure that there is no more hemorrhage of the public’s purse.
According to Minister Edghill, the investigation is warranted after an article appeared in the Kaieteur Newspaper which claimed that persons at the Asphalt Plant and the Ministry are reselling asphalt sold to the Government of Guyana for their own benefit.
More so, Minister Edghill said, “As the subject Minister, I think this warrants closure and one of the ways we can do this, is by being objective in examining what was said without prejudice, with a clean eye, and ensuring that we have the necessary facts.”
Further, Minister Indar noted that the team must be transparent with each other so as to bring everything together and have a holistic approach in bringing the evidence to the forefront.
For persons who are interested in reaching out to the team, you are kindly asked to contact them via email on [email protected].
The Team comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge in engineering and auditing.
