{"id":3251,"date":"2017-09-20T13:56:46","date_gmt":"2017-09-20T18:56:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/projectcalls.com\/?p=3251"},"modified":"2017-09-21T08:30:52","modified_gmt":"2017-09-21T13:30:52","slug":"secret-cabinet-missive-exposes-another-drug-scandal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/secret-cabinet-missive-exposes-another-drug-scandal\/","title":{"rendered":"Secret Cabinet missive exposes another drug scandal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\u2026as Govt bypasses Tender Board to handpick ANSA McAL for $515M purchase<\/p>\n<p>Despite pronouncements that Government breached the laws of Guyana to award a $605 million drug contract to one of its corporate supporters, the Administration has again sidelined the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to once again sole source in excess of half a billion dollars in drugs from ANSA McAL.<\/p>\n<p>The leaked secret Cabinet document outlines that the sub-committee considered and approved the procurement of emergency pharmaceuticals to the tune of $515.2 million.<\/p>\n<p>The sole sourcing practice was a strategy vehemently railed against by the then Opposition, now governing coalition A Partnership for National Unity\/Alliance For Change (APNU\/AFC).<\/p>\n<p>The request to bypass NPTAB was submitted by Finance Minister Winston Jordan and seeks to waive the competitive bidding and evaluation process in favour of sole sourcing the emergency supplies from ANSA McAL.<\/p>\n<p>The award of the contract is reminiscent of a similar contract that was handed to ANSA McAL to the tune of $605 million, for which the Public Procurement Commission had launched an investigation and had found that there were breaches of Guyana\u2019s procurement laws in order to facilitate the purchase.<\/p>\n<p>ANSA McAL is the company that had built a multimillion-dollar arch, which was donated to the APNU\/AFC Administration and subsequently erected on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Highway.<\/p>\n<p>The request was approved on Monday last and bears the signature of the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and the decision circulated to the Ministers of Finance and Public Health.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026. <a href=\"http:\/\/guyanatimesgy.com\/secret-cabinet-missive-exposes-another-drug-scandal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">more<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Image: \u00a0Michael Swan (flickr)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2026as Govt bypasses Tender Board to handpick ANSA McAL for $515M purchase Despite pronouncements that Government breached the laws of Guyana to award a $605 million drug contract to one&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":3256,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[112],"tags":[138,116,139,153,146,125],"class_list":["post-3251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-newsdevelopments","tag-drugsmedicine","tag-guyana","tag-healthcaremedical","tag-legal","tag-procedures","tag-public-procurement"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Confiential-folder-michael_swan-flickr.jpg?fit=1024%2C680&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6u9Qa-Qr","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3252,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/govt-once-again-sole-sourcing-from-ansa-mcal-this-time-515m-in-drugs\/","url_meta":{"origin":3251,"position":0},"title":"Govt once again sole sourcing from Ansa McAl, this time $515M in drugs","author":"Project Calls","date":"September 20, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"\u2026as Secret Cabinet memo surfaces Despite pronouncements that government breached the laws of Guyana to award a $605M drug contract to one of its corporate supporters, the Administration has once again sidelined the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to once again sole source in excess of half a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News\/Developments&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/document-agreement-documents-sign-Pixabay-Pexels.jpeg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/document-agreement-documents-sign-Pixabay-Pexels.jpeg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/document-agreement-documents-sign-Pixabay-Pexels.jpeg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/document-agreement-documents-sign-Pixabay-Pexels.jpeg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/document-agreement-documents-sign-Pixabay-Pexels.jpeg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6401,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/restricted-and-single-source-procurement-the-hdm-labs-case\/","url_meta":{"origin":3251,"position":1},"title":"Restricted and single source procurement: The HDM Labs Case","author":"Michele Marius","date":"August 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Over the last two weeks or so, the print media have been carrying reports of another apparent irregularity in the procurement of drugs and medical supplies at the Ministry of Public Health. This time, the procurement relates to the supply of pharmaceuticals, including, 27,040 bottles of metformin 500mg tablets, 63,804\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News\/Developments&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Pills-SimonQ-flickr.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Pills-SimonQ-flickr.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Pills-SimonQ-flickr.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Pills-SimonQ-flickr.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16753,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/procurement-commission-could-be-seriously-affected-by-pac-gridlock\/","url_meta":{"origin":3251,"position":2},"title":"Procurement commission could be seriously affected by PAC gridlock","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"May 27, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The reluctance of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chair, Mr David Patterson, to step down from that position, or end the gridlock, is putting at risk the continued employment of staff at the PPC (Public Procurement Commission) whose contracts are coming to an end. The staff cannot be on the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News\/Developments&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668473-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668473-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668473-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668473-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668473-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7008,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/idb-to-govt-do-more-competitive-bidding-less-single-sourcing\/","url_meta":{"origin":3251,"position":3},"title":"IDB to Govt: Do more competitive bidding, less single sourcing","author":"Michele Marius","date":"October 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"A key Inter-American Development report (IDB) has recommended that countries in the region, including Guyana, implement a number of measures aimed at improving public procurement. The report, titled \u2018Better spending for better lives: How Latin America and the Caribbean can do more with less\u2019, has identified poor procurement practices as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News\/Developments&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Raised-hands-niekverlaan-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C614&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Raised-hands-niekverlaan-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C614&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Raised-hands-niekverlaan-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C614&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Raised-hands-niekverlaan-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C614&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3249,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/procurement-board-silent-on-contract-to-controversial-tt-company\/","url_meta":{"origin":3251,"position":4},"title":"Procurement board silent on contract to controversial T&#038;T company","author":"Project Calls","date":"September 20, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) was mum yesterday on the recent awarding of a US$154,154 contract to Trinidadian company, Western Scienti-fic, which was accused earlier this year of delivering expired or nearly expired drugs to the Ministry of Public Health. At last week\u2019s post-cabinet briefing, Minister of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News\/Developments&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/See-no-evil-speak-no-evil-hear-no-evil-Japanexperterna.se-flickr.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/See-no-evil-speak-no-evil-hear-no-evil-Japanexperterna.se-flickr.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/See-no-evil-speak-no-evil-hear-no-evil-Japanexperterna.se-flickr.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/See-no-evil-speak-no-evil-hear-no-evil-Japanexperterna.se-flickr.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16301,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/bidders-not-being-told-of-outcome-of-major-drug-tenders\/","url_meta":{"origin":3251,"position":5},"title":"Bidders not being told of outcome of major drug tenders","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"April 29, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"-in breach of procurement laws Over the past four months, billions of dollars in government contracts have been awarded and to date none of the details have been made public, with even some companies that submitted bids being left in the dark about the final decisions, in breach of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News\/Developments&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/lady-justice-Jessica45-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C767&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/lady-justice-Jessica45-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C767&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/lady-justice-Jessica45-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C767&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/lady-justice-Jessica45-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C767&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3251"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3257,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3251\/revisions\/3257"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}