Dear Editor,
My attention was drawn to a caption on the front page of Sunday’s Kaieteur News, which read “Law firm founded by AG bids $9.6 million for Public Works contract”.
The law firm Mohabir A. Nandlall & Associates, Attorneys-at-Law, was established, and is still partially owned, by yours truly. However, upon the assumption of the office of Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs, Government of Guyana, I severed all functional ties with the firm, and play no role whatsoever in its management or conduct of its day-to-day business.
This state of affairs obviously led the current management of the firm to the considered opinion that it is not improper to bid for publicly advertised contracts by the Government of Guyana.
While I hold the firm view that Guyanese connected to me should suffer no detriment due to this connection in dealings with the Government, with equal force, they ought not to benefit by virtue of this connection. They are entitled to equality of treatment based upon meritocracy.
Approximately a week ago, I first learnt of the submission of the said bid in the firm’s name. I quickly discerned that the presence of my name on the bid documents can lend to improper inferences. I immediately contacted the management of the law firm and after discussions, it was agreed that the bid would be withdrawn.
I am informed and do verily believe that a letter to this effect was dispatched to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board. I am further informed and do verily believe that the said bid has since been withdrawn and is not being considered by the Evaluation Committee.
Yours faithfully,
Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC
Attorney General,
Minister of Legal Affairs
