-no Bill of Quantities presented
A special internal audit into the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has revealed that between 2015 and 2020 Courtney Benn Contracting Services (CBCS) and its subsidiary company, Brenco Shipping were awarded 92% of the contract values for procurement of spares and rehabilitation and maintenance of vessels but major tasks remained incomplete and other irregularities were detected.
The audit report has led to Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill writing to the Office of the Auditor General seeking a forensic audit of MARAD.
Chief Engineer, R Clarke, in an interview with the auditor, Dexter Smith stated that CBCS was able to secure over 90% of the contracts at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) because it was the most responsive and the other two contractors – Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC), and another only named as “Viera”, rarely bid or their prices were too high.