The Region 2 administration has been asked to provide a more detailed report in relation to its storage of fuel and losses of same reported to be from spillage and evaporation.
A 2014 audit, conducted by the Auditor General’s Office, found that the region was storing fuel and lubricants not only for itself, but also for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in the same storage container.
The audit report also found that there was an “excess of 96 litres of dieseline with an approximate value of $16,387 and 190 pints of lube oil valued approximately $118,630.” It went on to state that “a comparison between a physical count of fuel and lubricants and the bin cards revealed that there were shortages of stock, valued at $23,030, while excess stock totaled $316,745.”
In the region’s response, it was noted that the excess diesel belonged to NDIA, for which separate bin cards are maintained, while evaporation and spillage accounted for the shortages.
The situation remains the same and REO of the region Rupert Hopkinson told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday that NDIA had related that it is prepared to move their fuel to GuyOil. From all indications, however, these talks may have been informal.
Asked by member of the PAC and Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence when the NDIA’s plan was to take effect, the REO responded, “What they said, if we insist this is what they will do. At the moment there are no plans but they’re prepared to….”
Lawrence’s reply was a curt. “REO, what y’all had a gyaff?…You had an official discussion, am I correct?” she asked.
She went on to point out that any such official correspondence should have occurred formally, in writing, and that should have been presented to the committee.
Furthermore, she questioned the reliability of the bin card system, while stating that if they were accurate, they would have recorded the spillages that were reported in the AG’s report.
Hopkinson had told the committee that although the fuel for the two entities were being stored in the same tanks, they did not use each other’s fuel. Lawrence also brought this into question during the meeting.
“…I heard you answer a question that no, y’all don’t use one another dieseline, gasoline, whatever. But that can’t be accurate. Because NDIA from time to time will have emergencies to deal with…something is going on there…,” she said.
The member suggested that a more detailed response be provided by the region on what transpired and what steps are outlined for moving forward and dealing with spillage, evaporation and the like. The recommendation was endorsed by Chairman of the PAC Irfaan Ali.
“The storage regulations speak to us and we don’t have to go and reinvent the wheel,” Lawrence added.
