Pressure mounts on former Lucea Mayor to resign from Council

Pressure is mounting on former Mayor of  Lucea Shernette Haughton to step down as Councillor for the Green Island Division following a probe into the award of  contracts by the Hanover Parish Council.

Local Government Minister Noel Arscott last night described the findings as damning. A report from the Office of  the Contractor-General, released yesterday, showed that 22 contracts, valued at $3.7 million dollars, were awarded by the Hanover Parish Council to relatives and persons affiliated to Ms. Haughton They include her husband and children.

The OCG has recommended that Miss Haughton relinquish her post as Councillor. The Local Government Minister reacted to the recommendation stating that if it was that bad conclusions will be drawn from it. RJR News was unable to contact Ms. Haughton for a comment.

And Opposition Spokesman on Local Government, Desmond McKenzie, is insisting that Ms. Haughton step aside. He also wants further action taken based on the OCG's findings. He said she should recuse herself from any current activity.

Meanwhile, more information is emerging from the OCG's report on the operations at the Hanover Parish Council. The OCG expressed alarm from its interview with one of  the contract awardees, Brenton Grant, the nephew of  Miss Haughton's spouse.

Mr. Grant stated that he selected drunkards to execute the works under the contract as they charged a cheaper rate. The OCG felt that based on this example, the selection process has the potential to significantly compromise the quality of work produced and may not result in value for money.

ST THOMAS PARISH COUNCIL

 Another Parish Council has been placed in the spotlight following an investigation by the Office of  the Contractor General, OCG. The OCG has called for immediate action to be taken against the St Thomas Parish Council, in relation to the award of contracts totalling millions of  dollars.

In its report, tabled in the House of  Representatives yesterday, the OCG also called for the intervention of  the Auditor General.

The 75 page report from the OCG contains the findings of  a probe into alleged irregularities in the award of  contracts to One Touch Tours and Equipment Limited. The contracts, which amounted to more than $10 million  for various construction projects, were awarded between November 2008 and May 2009. 

Among the findings...The OCG concluded that the award of  the contracts was irregular and breached the OCG Act as well as Public Sector Procurement rules. The OCG charged that the contractor did not possess the requisite National Contracts Commission, NCC, certification, for the type of  contracts awarded.

For example the company was registered by the NCC in the category of  Transportation and Haulage, but was providing construction services.  The OCG charged that this amounted to the St. Thomas Parish Council putting human lives at risk, and was in disregard for public safety and welfare. It concluded that there is discrepancy between the account given by the Secretary Manager of  the Council, and representations made by the Council in relation to the procurement methodology.

The OCG says this state of  affairs warrants the immediate attention of  the Auditor General, as there is evidence to suggest there was a breach of  duty on the part of  Public Officers at the St. Thomas Parish Council.The OCG has referred the matter to the Auditor General’s Department, the Financial Secretary as well as the Procurement and Asset Policy Unit of  the Ministry of  Finance.

Meanwhile, the OCG has made several recommendations for the improvement of  the operations of  the St. Thomas Parish Council. It has suggested that Accounting and Accountable Officers of  the Council ensure compliance with the Handbook of  Public Sector Procurement Procedures and be more proactive in all procurement activities.The OCG also wants the Council to implement an efficient records filing system.

    Another recommendation is for an immediate review of  the accounting, procurement and public administration practices at the Council.This should be done by the Auditor General and the Finance Ministry. The OCG also recommends frequent compliance reviews of  the Parish Council by both bodies.