NDIA fraud allegations…Audit Office wrapping up investigations, to interview CEO- AG

-    Former Field Auditor appeals to Ramotar for justice

The Audit Office is currently in the interview stage of its investigations into fraud allegations at the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), says Deodat Sharma, Auditor General.
According to Sharma, the review of reports and other documents is completed and the Audit Office is conducting interviews to give those involved, the opportunity to explain or defend certain claims and findings.
At the centre of the investigations are the entity’s Chief Executive Officer Lionel Wordsworth and Senior Section Engineer, Aneel Chowbay. During this week, the Audit Office interviewed Chowbay and plans to question Wordsworth next week.
Sharma said that the Audit Office would have interviewed Wordsworth earlier but one of his close relatives passed away recently.
In October last year, a report prepared by the Field Auditor recommended the immediate dismissals of Wordsworth and Chowbay. It highlighted several instances of fraud and conflict of interest. The report was leaked to the media.
The report on fuel consumption and equipment operations and maintenance, was conducted between May and September 2012. It was completed and submitted to the Chairman of NDIA Board of Directors on September 26, and copied to President Donald Ramotar.
Though Sharma does not want to reveal details of the findings confirming if the Field Auditor was accurate in his report, previous comments by Seeraj confirmed procedural breaches at the entity.
While the investigations would have to decide the fate of the two senior officials the Field Auditor was sent on administrative leave. He is no longer with NDIA since the company did not respond to his letter in February requesting the renewal of his contract which ended in April.
In a letter to this publication, the former Field Auditor, Pablo Singh, appealed to Ramotar for justice to be given on this matter and should the situation remain the same then it leaves him with no choice but to seek redress through the courts of Guyana.
He has not received his gratuity and other benefits from NDIA.
This is the first time Singh has broken his silence on events surrounding the damning report.
He said, “Since someone wickedly leaked to the press a report of an approved audit I conducted, I have endured the aspersions on my character in the public newspapers and online from persons lacking morality, decency and character.”
For the six (working) months he spent at NDIA all the audits and investigations conducted were based on an Audit Plan approved by the CEO and in line with his approved job description.
“I was intentionally and maliciously accused by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture on October 22, 2012 of leaking the said report to the Press, conducting an audit without the CEO’s approval, Breach of Protocol- Reporting, Security and Confidentiality procedures, disclosure of information, making wilful statements, unauthorised use of NDIA’s documents and records, insubordination to Permanent Secretary- Ministry of Agriculture, Singh said.
The former Field Auditor explained that he disseminated the report because of “audio recordings relating to the audits completed which revealed unethical and illegal conduct by the CEO-NDIA, co-worker and procurement department”.
Singh disclosed that he sent the report to Ramotar because of the “illegal use of NDIA’s Community Drainage Improvement Project funds by the Office of the Minister of Agriculture with whom I sought a meeting to discuss the illegal expenses but was never granted.”
“It was intended to involve the President of Guyana to effectively bring an end to the NDIA’s breaches of the Fiscal Laws of Guyana. I do pray that he will make the right decision irrespective of the influences which will impact others to emulate, bearing in mind “monkey see, monkey do”.
This decision should transcend all cultural, racial, political differences and ‘public servants’ who are interested in the amassing of great wealth and creating dirty legacies,” he added.