4 hidden bank accounts unearthed at City Hall
August 9, 2016 By Editor
…Councillor says affairs shrouded in secrecy
By Edward Layne
Accusations of secrecy and possible corruption are mounting at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) after it was unearthed that the Council has four bank accounts which are not being reflected in its financial statements presented at statutory meetings, Councillor Bishram Kuppen has alleged.
Kuppen, a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor, told a Monday morning news conference that these accounts remain a secret as information from the authorities on them was not forthcoming, despite constant requests from Councillors.
He explained that at the Council’s first statutory meeting after the swearing in, he went through the report, including the financial statement, and the discovery of the four accounts was made.
Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green
Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green
“I went through the entire report; it was a very thick report and towards the end would have the financial statement reconciliation, the heading of it would be reconciliation of the main account, right away I wanted to know are there secondary accounts? Are there more and I posed that question to the Council. After a number of attempts, the City Treasurer just blurted it out that there were four additional accounts, and each subsequent statutory meeting, I keep pushing for those additional accounts to be included in the reconciliation of the financial statement. All those accounts should be included,” Kuppen explained, but complained that no moves were being made to have the accounts included.
The City Councillor said information requested about where the accounts were held and the amount of monies in them was not forthcoming.
Secrecy
The PPP/C Councillor went on to say that the affairs of the municipality were mired in secrecy, thus leading to constant accusations of corruption.
“There is the widespread perception that corruption is rampant at City Hall. This perception is fuelled by the lack of accountability for hundreds of millions of dollars spent on projects with no public tendering, improper financial reporting, four hidden bank accounts which are not included in any financial reports to Councillors, and financial deficits being reported on a consistent basis every month,” Kuppen said.
The Councillor said it was a sad state of affairs at the municipality as information on many other projects and programmes, expenditures, as well as contracts continued to be ‘state secrets’.
“I am deeply troubled about what is going on at City Hall, regarding the lack of accountability and transparency, as it relates to the city’s finances with billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money being spent without any credible financial reports or audits performed for the money spent as required by the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chap 28:01, Sect 177,” Kuppen said.
PPP/C Councillor Bishram Kuppen
PPP/C Councillor Bishram Kuppen
Forensic audit
The City Councillor also renewed a call for there to be a forensic audit of the municipality’s account, which he said should be a normal practice whenever a new administration took over, pointing to the argument Central Government used when it embarked on dozens of forensic audits of State agencies, following the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections.
As a matter of fact, Kuppen attempted to move a motion for a forensic audit on three occasions by submitting a written request to the Mayor and Town Clerk to have the motions included on the agenda for the statutory meeting.
On each occasion, he said, the Town Clerk responded that he found fault with the motions but did not advise what those deficiencies were.
“It is my firm belief that my motion for a forensic audit is being deliberately blocked by the Town Clerk and others. The City of Georgetown is not an independent sovereign state, and it is in the interest of all citizens and the Central Government to ensure that a forensic audit is conducted of the City’s finances as soon as possible,” the Councillor argued.
Kuppen said he was not the only Councillor who was of the view that there needed to be an audit of the city’s operations, as many other Councillors shared similar views.
Only early last month, former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran called for an immediate in-depth audit into the Council.
Goolsarran insisted that 10 years of arrears in terms of financial reporting and auditing was not only a “disturbing trend” but also showed that the Council had no interest in bringing the accounts to order.
He stated that as of August 2013, the last set of audited accounts of the Council was for 2004 and the Audit Office had received financial statements for the years 2005 and 2007. There is no evidence to suggest that any financial statements were produced for 2006.
According to the Municipal and District Councils Act, within four months of the close of the financial year, the city treasurer is required to prepare and submit to the auditor, financial statements for that year for audit. If the treasurer fails to comply, he/she will be guilty of an offence.
It has been over a decade that the M&CC, dominated by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), a main partner in the governing coalition, has failed to make any public presentation of its financial position.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Former Member
Without a doubt, it is same old, same old at City Hall. And it appears that the Mayor and Town Clerk are impervious or deaf to widespread and justified criticism of their actions. Shame on them.
Back to the Burnham days, only 4 accounts discovered so far. Shame on all you GNI'ers who supported the coalition. Let's wait forever for this forensic audit.
alena06 posted:Back to the Burnham days, only 4 accounts discovered so far. Shame on all you GNI'ers who supported the coalition. Let's wait forever for this forensic audit.
What utter rubbish are you spewing here? Shame on you and the rest of the sleazy ass PPP for outright theft. They even wanna thief the country from all others and give it to the Indians, according to Jagdeo.
Don't forget, GY Times is not even worthy of being placed in bird cages.
cain posted:alena06 posted:Back to the Burnham days, only 4 accounts discovered so far. Shame on all you GNI'ers who supported the coalition. Let's wait forever for this forensic audit.
What utter rubbish are you spewing here? Shame on you and the rest of the sleazy ass PPP for outright theft. They even wanna thief the country from all others and give it to the Indians, according to Jagdeo.
Don't forget, GY Times is not even worthy of being placed in bird cages.
How come you guys haven't jailed one PPP person as yet. I know you are dumb but check INews for this article as well. Shame! Shame! Shame!
I'm not surprised that the change of gov't. we had a little more than a year ago has resulted in more corruption. Why would anyone believe that this gov't. would be saintly and corruption-free? Apparently, many of us are too naieve to believe what's not possible.
alena06 posted:cain posted:alena06 posted:Back to the Burnham days, only 4 accounts discovered so far. Shame on all you GNI'ers who supported the coalition. Let's wait forever for this forensic audit.
What utter rubbish are you spewing here? Shame on you and the rest of the sleazy ass PPP for outright theft. They even wanna thief the country from all others and give it to the Indians, according to Jagdeo.
Don't forget, GY Times is not even worthy of being placed in bird cages.
How come you guys haven't jailed one PPP person as yet. I know you are dumb but check INews for this article as well. Shame! Shame! Shame!
Oi lady talkin about dumb, how come you back Jagdeo and his creepy ass party when it was being reported they were tieifn out the country? Talkin bout dumb, how come you rass standing behind someone who's been known for turning a blind eye to drug runnings in the country?.
Former Member
alena06 posted:Back to the Burnham days, only 4 accounts discovered so far. Shame on all you GNI'ers who supported the coalition. Let's wait forever for this forensic audit.
Look at these PPP puppy dogs yapping. This is just like the PPP and its really sad that your racism causes you to miss that fact.
In fact one of the tragedies of these folks is that their greed is motivated by their poverty of their 23 years in the wilderness. Say what you wish about the Burnham PNC, but their greed was for power, not for cash. So when they lost power they had little money.
Now that they are back they will steal as much as they can in case the PPP is back. They have learned all the PPP tricks in theft and corruption.
Former Member
alena06 posted:cain posted:.How come you guys haven't jailed one PPP person as yet. !
You have the answer for that. If one jails for corruption one sets a precedent, and given that these people are being corrupt...........well I think that even a racist like you can figure that out.
Former Member
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:I'm not surprised that the change of gov't. we had a little more than a year ago has resulted in more corruption. Why would anyone believe that this gov't. would be saintly and corruption-free? Apparently, many of us are too naieve to believe what's not possible.
Populated by former PPP folks who are now in the AFC the PPP culture of corruption is there and in living color.
caribny posted:alena06 posted:Back to the Burnham days, only 4 accounts discovered so far. Shame on all you GNI'ers who supported the coalition. Let's wait forever for this forensic audit.
Look at these PPP puppy dogs yapping. This is just like the PPP and its really sad that your racism causes you to miss that fact.
In fact one of the tragedies of these folks is that their greed is motivated by their poverty of their 23 years in the wilderness. Say what you wish about the Burnham PNC, but their greed was for power, not for cash. So when they lost power they had little money.
Now that they are back they will steal as much as they can in case the PPP is back. They have learned all the PPP tricks in theft and corruption.
You are not only racist you are DUMB to make the statement above in red!!! You are a sad, dumb, ass to justify that the PNC has a need to steal because they were in the wilderness for 23 years. I really thought you knew better than this, shame on you!!
Alena, The DUMB PNC renting an old House valued at 4000 Guy dollars for 60000 US per month and these SLAVES on GNI saying go Massa Go, we time to thief. BLOODY IDIOTS. Bo wonder Burnham used to whip these DUMB asses at Hope Estate!!!!!
Former Member
alena06 posted:You are not only racist you are DUMB to make the statement above in red!!! You are a sad, dumb, ass to justify that the PNC has a need to steal because they were in the wilderness for 23 years. I really thought you knew better than this, shame on you!!
I see that with Bibi absent you have taken over the role of the dumb hysterical female.
Did I justify it. Unlike you who excuses the PPP over every crime simply they are the "coolie people party" I don't not defend the PNC. I remind you that the PPP was corrupt, that during the Burnham era power and not massive corruption was their modus, and now they plan to steal. And the PPP have taught them all they needed to know.
Now you resume your screams that the PPP is perfect because they are the Indian party.
And I don't think that calling people power drunk is exactly flattery.
alena06 posted:caribny posted:alena06 posted:Back to the Burnham days, only 4 accounts discovered so far. Shame on all you GNI'ers who supported the coalition. Let's wait forever for this forensic audit.
Look at these PPP puppy dogs yapping. This is just like the PPP and its really sad that your racism causes you to miss that fact.
In fact one of the tragedies of these folks is that their greed is motivated by their poverty of their 23 years in the wilderness. Say what you wish about the Burnham PNC, but their greed was for power, not for cash. So when they lost power they had little money.
Now that they are back they will steal as much as they can in case the PPP is back. They have learned all the PPP tricks in theft and corruption.
You are not only racist you are DUMB to make the statement above in red!!! You are a sad, dumb, ass to justify that the PNC has a need to steal because they were in the wilderness for 23 years. I really thought you knew better than this, shame on you!!
Gal, I thought I CERTIFIED him a long time ago!! The Guyana P W Botha!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yuji22 posted:He stated that as of August 2013, the last set of audited accounts of the Council was for 2004 and the Audit Office had received financial statements for the years 2005 and 2007. There is no evidence to suggest that any financial statements were produced for 2006.
According to the Municipal and District Councils Act, within four months of the close of the financial year, the city treasurer is required to prepare and submit to the auditor, financial statements for that year for audit. If the treasurer fails to comply, he/she will be guilty of an offence.
It has been over a decade that the M&CC, dominated by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), a main partner in the governing coalition, has failed to make any public presentation of its financial position.
As far as the actual facts are concerned, the then mayor of GT was a PPP backed independent candidate, who was later put under the control of a directly appointed PPP clerk. So the period within which no accounts are available fell within the responsibility of the PPP. At no time was the PNC involved since they were not in government in GT or the whole country.
Every day the PPP come on GNI to pin the blame of PPP crimes on the PNC. It is just a matter of time before the PPP provide "evidence" that Jagdeo and Ramotar were in fact PNC members taking orders form first Corbin, and then Granger.
caribny posted:Billy Ram Balgobin posted:I'm not surprised that the change of gov't. we had a little more than a year ago has resulted in more corruption. Why would anyone believe that this gov't. would be saintly and corruption-free? Apparently, many of us are too naieve to believe what's not possible.
Populated by former PPP folks who are now in the AFC the PPP culture of corruption is there and in living color.
You should turn in your PNC green card be a man like Kwayana.
Listen to this stupid, ignorant and illiterate DAAG. Eighteen months and not one friggin piece of evidence of corruption/theft, Billion spent on Audits and Committees and this FOOL coming here and spewing his garbage!!!!
Add Reply
Sign In To Reply
157 online (0 members
/
157 guests)