Trinidad and Tobago
I refer to press reports that, “State-owned development company Nidco, the project manager, acted as just a ‘rubber stamp’.” This was reportedly said by Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal, member of the Joint Select Committee on Land and Physical Infrastructure at the sitting earlier in the week of the JSC which is conducting an enquiry into the Point Fortin contract.
The Joint Council for the Construction Industry (JCC) understands that the alleged wastage of public funds occurred before the new procurement legislation was enacted and operationalised in April 2023 and therefore the alleged “enablers of the associated corruption and wastage” cannot be penalised under these present laws.
While that may be the case, the JSC should seek to at least name and shame the relevant people for this travesty. Imagine that the OAS was paid US$150m or 20 per cent of the contract sum, as an advance payment, when the tender was based on ten per cent?
We would like to think that this cannot happen today as complaints can be filed under Section 41 of Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act of 2015 to The Regulator of the Office of the Procurement Regulation (OPR). In other words,the state entity, NIDCO in this case cannot be directed or pressured by powerful enablers, without these transgressions coming to light via the OPR.
The JCC cautions the public that too much time has elapsed since the annual report from The OPR was due at the end of 2023 and it yet to be delivered to the House of Representatives.
The impact of the new procurement laws is heavily reliant on this OPR annual report, which will provide transparent information to the public for the first time in the history of this country of exactly how much public money has been spent; how is spending these monies and who are the contractors and service providers.
We cannot underscore the vital importance of this information nor the following information that the OPR has to include in the report:
(i) the number of procurement contracts awarded;
(ii) the number of procurement contracts varied;
(iii) the quantum of those variances;
(iv) the number of unfulfilled procurement contracts an the quantum of cost incurred;
(v) with respect to the procurement for a project, a brief description, the awardee, the value, the scope of works and the expected deliverables of the project; and
(vi) lessons learnt as a consequence of the management of procurement contracts;
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Jamaica
The Government of Jamaica (GOJ), through the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, is looking to establish the GOJ Procurement Awards.
This initiative aims to celebrate excellence and innovation in the public procurement system across various entities, according to Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke.
He was speaking during the Elevate Procurement Conference on Tuesday (April 23) at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James.
Dr. Clarke emphasised the Administration’s commitment to recognising and rewarding outstanding achievements in public procurement, which is the acquisition of goods, works and services by the Government and State enterprises.
“So we will have a whole spectrum of awards that gives lots of opportunities. This is going to be like the Grammys [because] procurement is big business, and we are going to make sure it is celebrated like big business,” the Minister stated.
Dr. Clarke said the awards are intended to motivate individuals and teams within “departments, units, ministries, and agencies” to strive for excellence in public procurement practices.
“Our intention is to make public procurement a rewarding career, choice and option with various ladders and stages… that you can stay in… for your entire career, and have a fulfilling career,” he added.
The Minister also underscored the importance of professionalism in procurement, noting that it contributes significantly to national development.
The Awards are expected to raise the profile of public procurement and highlight its importance in driving efficiency and transparency in government operations.
The Elevate Procurement Conference is being held from April 23 to 25 with representatives from public procurement oversight institutions; suppliers of goods, services and works; civil society; local corruption watchdogs; regional procurement practitioners; and Latin American Procurement experts in attendance.
The event is intended to clarify the procurement process, facilitate discussions about local public procurement, and showcase interplay and interrelationships between stakeholders in public procurement, among other engagements.
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Belize
In 2023, the Office of the Auditor General uncovered two cases of fraud at the Belize Treasury Department and the Embassy of Belize in Guatemala resulting in the government losing over two hundred thousand dollars. In the first instance, the office uncovered that the payroll scheme in the Treasury Department showed fraud in the sum of ninety seven thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars. Meanwhile, at the Belize Embassy in Guatemala, the Auditor General found that over one hundred and seven thousand dollars was mismanaged by a staff member in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While little information on the cases has been published on the AG Office’s website, our newsroom understands that the office completed two fraud audits and has since won the matters before the Public Services Commission. Subsequently, the public officers involved were terminated. There are, however, five other cases where public monies have been mismanaged. In 2022, the office launched an audit query into discrepancies involving the Belize Police Department and Smart Stream payments. Also in 2022, the government body conducted a performance audit on the procurement of tablets within the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Economic Development, but the results have not been published. Additionally, the office launched a fraud audit probing into the misallocation of funds at the Magistrate’s Court. We note that several pieces of information regarding the audits have not been released as the seven cases are currently before the courts. For this year, the Office of the Auditor General has embarked on an audit examination of assigned vehicles within the Police Department.
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Bahamas
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has announced the closure of a senior loan for up to $11.2 million to Lucaya Solar Power, marking the first solar plant in The Bahamas financed by IDB Invest under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) framework.
The project represents one of the first utility-scale renewable energy endeavors in the country. Lucaya Solar Power Ltd will sell energy to Grand Bahama Power Company Limited.
The project comprises two solar PV generation systems, each producing 6MW DC (direct current) and 5MW DC, alongside other transmission and interconnection infrastructure located in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Nikita Mullings, GB Power’s Chief Operating Officer, recently stated to Eyewitness News that the company is advancing towards having 15 percent of its energy generated by solar. “On the renewables side, what it does is stabilize the cost of fuel for our customers because we become less dependent on heavy fuel oil and the effect of the volatility of the fuel market. By the end of 2025, what we would have is about 15 percent of our energy being provided by renewable energy through solar,” said Mullings.
Inti Corporation, the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor engaged to build and operate the $15 million Lucayas Solar Power Project on Grand Bahama, recently announced that its Fairfield solar site would be commissioned at the end of this month.
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Antigua and Barbuda
The Department of Environment (DOE) in Antigua and Barbuda is proud to announce its collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Bus Association (ABBA), GEF, and UNEP to usher in a new era of sustainable transportation and the associated training of the Workforce.
Under the GEF Funded Sustainable Low-carbon Island Management (SLIM) project, the ABBA is procuring seven electric buses from China with the USD$560,000 grant which was granted to the Association.
This marks a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly transit solutions in the nation by providing vehicles for local professionals to begin experiencing supporting and maintaining the vehicles.
In line with this initiative, representatives from ABBA, DOE, Antigua State College (ASC), and Antigua and Barbuda Institute for Continuing Education (ABICE) are currently in Nanning, China, from April 6th to April 18th, 2024.
Their mission is to undergo comprehensive training on the operation and maintenance of these electric buses.
This training not only ensures a seamless transition to electric vehicles but also provides an invaluable opportunity for participants to enhance their knowledge and expertise in this emerging field.
Moreover, this endeavor extends beyond the realm of transportation. Ms. Cathy Thomas, Ms. Lakeea Allen, Ms. Shania Bejai, and Jesse Gilpin will be representing the DOE at the 135th China Import and Export Fair Canton Trade Fair in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, from April 15th to April 28th, 2024.
Their participation in Phase 1 & 2 of this prestigious event aims to gain firsthand insights into various materials exhibited, facilitating informed decision-making for green procurement purposes under the DOE’s various projects.
By implementing green procurement practices and fostering bulk purchasing, the DOE seeks to enhance sustainability efforts within its projects.
The focus is on selecting high-quality, sustainable options that align with the nation’s commitment to environmental preservation and climate action.
“The Ministry’s commitment to a full transition from ICE to electric vehicles by 2040 is evident through our collaborative efforts with the wider society, including the invaluable experience contributed by the bus association and transportation sector,” stated the Minister of Environment, Antigua and Barbuda.
“Together, we are working tirelessly to meet our target date of 2040, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable future for Antigua and Barbuda.”
“The collaboration between the Department of Environment, ABBA, GEF, and UNEP marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey towards sustainable development,” commented Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
“Investing in electric vehicles and green procurement practices not only reduces our carbon footprint but also positions Antigua and Barbuda as a leader in environmental stewardship. This initiative aligns with our vision for a cleaner, greener future, and I commend all involved for their dedication to this important cause.”
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting sustainability and combating climate change.
Through innovative initiatives like electric bus procurement and green procurement practices, Antigua and Barbuda is poised to lead the way towards a greener, more sustainable future.
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