An internal investigation is ongoing into a number of financial malpractices which occurred at the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) headquarters under the watch of Chief Fire Officer, Kalamadeen Edoo.
Efforts made by Stabroek News yesterday to contact Edoo for a comment proved futile since calls to his phone went unanswered.
The irregularities, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said yesterday were unearthed during an audit. While he declined to state if any action/s has been taken against any official to date, Benn told Stabroek News that an “investigation” and “review” are currently being done.
Stabroek News understands that among other things, the investigation uncovered that there were discrepancies in relation to the issuance and payment for Petroleum licenses and Safety Certificates.
This was reportedly uncovered after the revenues generated through these transactions could not be reconciled and there was no record that they were processed and issued.
According to documents seen by this newspaper, the procedure for processing and issuing Petroleum License and Safety certificates required that all monies for these transactions be paid to the GFS Finance Department.
However, a number of staff members have since provided statements which confirmed that the policies were changed and new ones were implemented in April, 2021 shortly after Edoo took over the position of Chief Fire Officer.
Documents seen by Stabroek News revealed that Edoo implemented new procedures which required that payments and processing for new and renewed Petroleum License and Safety certificates be done directly though his office.
He reportedly claimed that this was done so that he could become acquainted with the holders of these licenses.
Information also indicates that there were some changes in the prices paid for the licenses and certificates. In one instance, a company paid as much as $1.5M for the safety certificate.
It is suspected that after payments are made, the holders of these documents were granted fake receipts which were not replicated in the GFS records.
The issue was previously raised during a meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs in April, 2021 and those involved were warned to desist from such practices or they could face consequences but they continued.
Edoo assumed the post of Fire Chief in March, 2021.
He was sent on leave early in October last year in light of criticisms faced by the GFS over its performance in fighting the Brickdam Police Station blaze.
Weeks after, he returned to office without any clear directive as to whether any action was taken against him.
Prior to this, a number of firefighters had threatened to take court action against Edoo after he allegedly removed them from the promotion list for “disciplinary infractions” for which they were punished years earlier.
Firefighter, Neville Cumberbatch had filed a private charge against Edoo. He was released on $10,000 bail.
