Govt. purchases billions in drugs without public tender
The Guyana Government this past year spent close to GYD$2 billion under questionable circumstances, including without a public tender or on an emergency basis.
The revelation was made today (May 8, 2017) in the National Assembly when Government Ministers supplied responses to a slew of questions posed by Peoples Progressive Party Civic Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edgehill.
With regards the Ministry of Communities and its purchase of drugs for distribution across the 10 administrative regions, it was disclosed that last year purchases in excess of $2B was spent but there was no public tender since the purchases were not advertised.
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan indicated to the members of the House, that the GYD $2.1 billion allocation was almost completely exhausted but advertisements were only placed in the Guyana Chronicle and Stabroek News newspapers in February for the supply of drugs to Region 10.
According to Minister Bulkan, “the Barima/Waini to Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo Regions indicated that the drugs and medical supplies were not publicly advertised since they were purchased on an emergency basis or as the needs arise.”
There was no pre-qualification done for suppliers across the Regions.
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Image: Gatis Gribusts (flickr)