Although its procurement practices have been the subject of recent concern, the Ministry of Public Health did not keep minutes of the Ministerial Tender Board meetings at which contracts were awarded.
This is according to the 2016 Auditor General Report. Auditor General Deodat Sharma noted that as a result of this failure, the basis of the award of contracts within the ministry could not be determined.
The Auditor General was also unable to verify the accuracy of four payments, totalling $104.5 million, for utility charges, due to the lack of supporting documentation, such as bills and receipts. Two of these payment related to electricity charges, while two related to water charges.
In total $403.5 million was allocated for utility charges for 2016, $265.8 million of which was spent according to the Appropriation Accounts.
An examination of the utility registers revealed $124 million in differences. In addition to the $124 million mentioned above, a comparison of the official telephone listing with the register revealed that eight telephone numbers were not recorded on the official listing. However, amounts totalling $310,673 were reflected in the telephone register as expenditure incurred for the said numbers. Additionally, a comparison of the official listing of water meters with the register revealed that fifteen meters were not recorded on the official listing. However, amounts totalling $4.425 million were reflected in the GWI register as expenditure incurred for the said meters.
