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January 8,2018

Source

Dear Editor,

It does not bode well for Region Six when at the very first statutory meeting at the beginning of the new year the RDC council was taken by surprise by a deal which was exposed by RDC Councillor Mr Zamal Hussain.

The Region purchased an obsolete D4D bulldozer which was reportedly manufactured in the 1970s for a whopping $15 million, while a brand new D7 Caterpillar Bulldozer sells for $16 million.

What was more astonishing was the fact that this machine was parked outside the RDC compound with the top officials not even aware of its arrival. The REO heard about its ‘arrival’ at the meeting when the issue was raised.  She admitted that someone should have inspected the machine to verify that it was according to the order specifications. I wish to submit here that a copy of the invoice which would serve as a Delivery Note should have accompanied the machine and that this should have been   verified with the order specification. The Engineer should have been the person doing this and have communicated the delivery to the REO and the Chairman. He is responsible for having to put the machine into the inventory. This is normal accounting procedure and the REO is the Accounting Officer, and the Delivery Note signed by the Engineer should have been given to the REO. However, in all fairness to her she made a commitment to send the bulldozer packing once it was discovered to be defective and not according to the specifications.

The fact that the REO admitted that she knew nothing of the delivery and receipt of the machine begs the question of the effectiveness of communication at the highest level of the RDC, the effectiveness of the inspection process and the accounting for goods received to ensure that they comply with specifications. The Engineer erred. If he felt that he did not have the expertise to inspect and certify the bulldozer then he should have solicited the assistance of experts, which is what was done eventually by the Chairman. We have had enough of ‘a pig in a poke’ purchases.

The inspection of the bulldozer by a team of competent engineers brought together by the Regional Chairman, Mr David Armogan, exposed the fact that what had been ordered was a D3 not a D4D Caterpillar and that apart from that the engine was ‘back pressuring’ (meaning that it is at the end of its useful life). There are 10 other major defects, which is natural since the D4D bulldozer was manufactured in 1970 and is now obsolete. Even some spares may be difficult to obtain. Unfortunately, while the hastily done paint job on the bulldozer was for cosmetic purposes, it could not hide its antiquity!

The price for a D4D Caterpillar online is US$11,500, while that of the D3 Caterpillar which meets the RDC specification, is US$25,295 (www.machinerytrader.com ).  This means that the D4D bulldozer purchased was overpriced by at least $12 million. Who negotiated such a poor deal? I am sure that for any sort of realistic negotiation to take place the RDC negotiator must be aware of the online prices of these items, which should then form a strong basis for meaningful negotiation.

I could recall that during the RDC 2017 Budget discussions myself and Mr Harbhajan specifically requested that the Region buy a grader instead of a bulldozer, since from past experience we know a grader is more effective in building dams, but we were told that an angle blade bulldozer will effectively fulfil the same function. I had then hinted that maybe “someone has a bulldozer to sell”, and now it has come to pass!  I am calling on all RDC councillors to be more involved in fighting irregular practices so that we get value for money in Region 6. I must congratulate Mr Hussain for exposing this deal and Mr Armogan for starting the investigative process in such a speedy manner.

I am calling for a proper investigation into this bulldozer deal and whoever is culpable to be exposed. If this government wants to retard its downward slide and improve its ratings then it needs to address the corruption which is galloping at breakneck speed in all directions and in all quarters!

Yours faithfully,

Haseef Yusuf

RDC Councillor

Region 6

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Django posted:
Riff posted:

bet it was purchased from someone who knows someone.....nice kickback

Crooks and rejects are elected,as expected the pilfering continues.

The Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Kim Stephens had explained that the administration is still waiting for documentation from the supplier, which ultimately means the machine does not belong to the region as yet.

Is this fake news or a cover up for money which has been "ducked" under?

FM
Mitwah posted:

Remittances are helping Guyanese to become dependent and lazy.  Guyana is not a poor country.

What is the relevance of your post to the above subject?

K
Last edited by kp
kp posted:
Mitwah posted:

Remittances are helping Guyanese to become dependent and lazy.  Guyana is not a poor country.

What is the relevance of your post to the above subject?

Are you living or are you just surviving?

What makes you think that you are relevant in the scheme of things?

Mitwah

Something smells with the bulldozer purchase.

January 10,2018

Source

Dear Editor,
As the plot thickens with the ‘obsolete bulldozer’ saga more revelations and questions have emerged to transport this ‘deal’ into the realm of the corrupt. However, in order to make the explanation offered here more explicit and comprehensible I will need to give some specifics.
For the year 2017, there was an RDC budgetary allocation of $20 million to purchase an ‘angle blade bulldozer’ for the urgent repairs of dams within the agricultural areas. But the ‘urgency’ was soon forgotten. Nearly, six months later on July 1, 2017 an invitation to tender for ‘the supply and delivery of one reconditioned D3 angle blade bulldozer’ was made in the media. It stated that the Engineer’s estimate was at $15 million.
The tenders received would have been evaluated on 11th July, 2017 and the ‘lowest evaluated bid’ would have been awarded the contract. This means that by 25th July this notice of award to the supplier would have been sent.
Furthermore, it was expected that the contract would have been signed and the bulldozer delivered within a ‘reasonable time’. The bulldozer arrived at the RDC Region Six Compound on January 3, 2018, approximately five months after the supplier was awarded the contract.
Some pertinent questions need to be asked at this point: Why was the tender advertised at such a late date when the machinery was urgently needed, especially to repair the dams in the rice cultivation areas which were almost impassable?
Why was the Engineer’s estimate just $I million above the Regional Tender Board limit but just remains at $15 million in order to avoid the perusal by the Minister of Finance and Cabinet?
Why was the entire budgetary allocation of $20 million not utilized to acquire a ‘fit and proper’ bulldozer? Why did it take the supplier five months to deliver? Was the delivery into the new calendar year accidental or coincidental?
I must submit that the delivery of the ‘junk’ into 2018 is intentional. There is a growing trend if we look at the RDC capital expenditure that the majority of such expenditures take place towards the latter half of the year with some being done at the last minute, just like Christmas shopping.
In addition, all cheques are raised before the end of the year to ensure that monies are not returned to the Treasury. In this bulldozer case the cheque was raised at the end of the year and delivery done in January 2018 to mask the fact that the machine is not ‘fit and proper’! No other explanation will suffice!
Another pertinent question is: Did the bulldozer meet the specifications of being a ‘reconditioned D3 angle blade bulldozer’? The answer is a resounding NO! An investigation conducted by the Regional Chairman on 5th January by a team of engineers confirmed that it was a D4D bulldozer manufactured in the 1970s.
It was further discovered that the bulldozer’s engine is back pressuring and has about 10 other defects. The engineers pointed out that the machine is at the end of its useful life! Therefore, the bulldozer did not meet the specifications and it was not ‘fit and proper’.
At the RDC Statutory meeting on 3rdJanuary, 2018, one day after the machine was received, the REO having expressed her surprise that the bulldozer had arrived at the RDC Compound made a commitment to return the bulldozer to the supplier if it was not according to the specification and if it was not ‘fit and proper’.
However, at a press conference held on 8th January she made a volte-face! She declared that the supplier had agreed to repair the bulldozer!
IN conclusion, I must remind all government officials that the main objective of the Public Procurement Act is to ensure that economy and efficiency are maximized and that taxpayers get value for money.
It is useless to brag about a massive budget when the dollars do not translate into value, the inherent corruption at the tender boards level and the equally corrupt inspections and certifications will continue to eat away at our social and economic development unless drastic measures are taken against the corruptors!
Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf
RDC Councilor-Region 6

Django
skeldon_man posted:

So Djangy, who tief de money hey? You think BJ pocketed some of it? Leh abie hear how BJ got some insiders and used them to funnel some of the cash to him. I am waiting.

Bhai,

i am trying to figure who are players that tender for the purchase of the Bulldozer.

is't the REO ?

Django
Django posted:
skeldon_man posted:

So Djangy, who tief de money hey? You think BJ pocketed some of it? Leh abie hear how BJ got some insiders and used them to funnel some of the cash to him. I am waiting.

Bhai,

i am trying to figure who are players that tender for the purchase of the Bulldozer.

is't the REO ?

The Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Kim Stephens  had explained that the administration is still waiting for documentation from the supplier, which ultimately means the machine does not belong to the region as yet.

It's a ploy from the REO to prolong the matter hoping the people will forget. He must be getting lessons from Harmon heh?

FM
Django posted:
skeldon_man posted:

So Djangy, who tief de money hey? You think BJ pocketed some of it? Leh abie hear how BJ got some insiders and used them to funnel some of the cash to him. I am waiting.

Bhai,

i am trying to figure who are players that tender for the purchase of the Bulldozer.

is't the REO ?

So what u saying , the REO is working for BJ 

FM
Dave posted:
Django posted:
skeldon_man posted:

So Djangy, who tief de money hey? You think BJ pocketed some of it? Leh abie hear how BJ got some insiders and used them to funnel some of the cash to him. I am waiting.

Bhai,

i am trying to figure who are players that tender for the purchase of the Bulldozer.

is't the REO ?

So what u saying , the REO is working for BJ 

Where did i insinuate such ?

Django
skeldon_man posted:
Django posted:
skeldon_man posted:

So Djangy, who tief de money hey? You think BJ pocketed some of it? Leh abie hear how BJ got some insiders and used them to funnel some of the cash to him. I am waiting.

Bhai,

i am trying to figure who are players that tender for the purchase of the Bulldozer.

is't the REO ?

The Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Kim Stephens  had explained that the administration is still waiting for documentation from the supplier, which ultimately means the machine does not belong to the region as yet.

It's a ploy from the REO to prolong the matter hoping the people will forget. He must be getting lessons from Harmon heh?

Newly appointed Region Six REO to focus on quality assurance


Ministry of Communities, Guyana, Friday, October 7, 2016

Newly-appointed, Regional Executive Officer (REO) of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) No. 6, Kim Williams-Stephen says she intends to bring a high level of efficiency, knowledge and competence to the post while promising that greater emphasis will be placed on results-oriented service.

Williams-Stephen has 30 years of experience in the public service, 28 of which was spent at the Audit Office of Guyana in the capacity of Audit Manager (ag) for Regions Five and Six.

img_1396

She possesses a wealth of knowledge in the area of regional auditing, having also audited for Regions Five, Seven and Nine.

Coincidentally, Williams-Stephen started work as a typist clerk at the very RDC in 1986 and was subsequently transferred to the Audit Office in 1988.

The new REO is a strong advocate for good governance, transparency and accountability and is also a firm believer in quality service to others.

“It’s an honour and privilege for me to have been given the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I gave the praises and thanks to God Almighty because without him this would not have been possible,” the REO stated.

read more

 

Django

Kim Williams-Stephen says she intends to bring a high level of efficiency, knowledge, and competence to the post while promising that greater emphasis will be placed on results-oriented service.

Who is she fooling? Isn't this what the PNC promised during the election also? Did they not promise to bring transparency to everything they do? Aw Djangy bai, give the PNC your hammer too nah!!!

Promises doesn't mean it will happen. Stop defending these crooks.

FM

Slop can boy still fail to call out his masters in the pnc for this debacle. If it was ppp time he and lilmohan would be crying day and night about ppp crookishness. Now the jackasses quiet about pnc corruption, still trying to blame jagdeo for incidents under the pnc. 

FM
Django posted:
skeldon_man posted:
Django posted:
skeldon_man posted:

So Djangy, who tief de money hey? You think BJ pocketed some of it? Leh abie hear how BJ got some insiders and used them to funnel some of the cash to him. I am waiting.

Bhai,

i am trying to figure who are players that tender for the purchase of the Bulldozer.

is't the REO ?

The Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Kim Stephens  had explained that the administration is still waiting for documentation from the supplier, which ultimately means the machine does not belong to the region as yet.

It's a ploy from the REO to prolong the matter hoping the people will forget. He must be getting lessons from Harmon heh?

Newly appointed Region Six REO to focus on quality assurance


Ministry of Communities, Guyana, Friday, October 7, 2016

Newly-appointed, Regional Executive Officer (REO) of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) No. 6, Kim Williams-Stephen says she intends to bring a high level of efficiency, knowledge and competence to the post while promising that greater emphasis will be placed on results-oriented service.

Williams-Stephen has 30 years of experience in the public service, 28 of which was spent at the Audit Office of Guyana in the capacity of Audit Manager (ag) for Regions Five and Six.

img_1396

She possesses a wealth of knowledge in the area of regional auditing, having also audited for Regions Five, Seven and Nine.

Coincidentally, Williams-Stephen started work as a typist clerk at the very RDC in 1986 and was subsequently transferred to the Audit Office in 1988.

The new REO is a strong advocate for good governance, transparency and accountability and is also a firm believer in quality service to others.

“It’s an honour and privilege for me to have been given the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I gave the praises and thanks to God Almighty because without him this would not have been possible,” the REO stated.

read more

 

What is this lady qualifications to be a Regional Executive Officer, as I see she is Black, she is a PNC, and a typist. Putting square pegs in round circles. Road to failure.

K
kp posted:
 
 

What is this lady qualifications to be a Regional Executive Officer, as I see she is Black, she is a PNC, and a typist. Putting square pegs in round circles. Road to failure.

Slop can boy will disagree, typist is a very high qualification in his books. He himself did not go far in school yet he secure a job as top pnc slop can carrier. 

FM
kp posted:
Django posted:
skeldon_man posted:
Django posted:
skeldon_man posted:

So Djangy, who tief de money hey? You think BJ pocketed some of it? Leh abie hear how BJ got some insiders and used them to funnel some of the cash to him. I am waiting.

Bhai,

i am trying to figure who are players that tender for the purchase of the Bulldozer.

is't the REO ?

The Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Kim Stephens  had explained that the administration is still waiting for documentation from the supplier, which ultimately means the machine does not belong to the region as yet.

It's a ploy from the REO to prolong the matter hoping the people will forget. He must be getting lessons from Harmon heh?

Newly appointed Region Six REO to focus on quality assurance


Ministry of Communities, Guyana, Friday, October 7, 2016

Newly-appointed, Regional Executive Officer (REO) of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) No. 6, Kim Williams-Stephen says she intends to bring a high level of efficiency, knowledge and competence to the post while promising that greater emphasis will be placed on results-oriented service.

Williams-Stephen has 30 years of experience in the public service, 28 of which was spent at the Audit Office of Guyana in the capacity of Audit Manager (ag) for Regions Five and Six.

img_1396

She possesses a wealth of knowledge in the area of regional auditing, having also audited for Regions Five, Seven and Nine.

Coincidentally, Williams-Stephen started work as a typist clerk at the very RDC in 1986 and was subsequently transferred to the Audit Office in 1988.

The new REO is a strong advocate for good governance, transparency and accountability and is also a firm believer in quality service to others.

“It’s an honour and privilege for me to have been given the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I gave the praises and thanks to God Almighty because without him this would not have been possible,” the REO stated.

read more

 

What is this lady qualifications to be a Regional Executive Officer, as I see she is Black, she is a PNC, and a typist. Putting square pegs in round circles. Road to failure.

I laughed when I saw this. I guess any black PNC card-carrying member who has had typing lessons can become an auditor or an REO.

FM
Drugb posted:
kp posted:
 
 

What is this lady qualifications to be a Regional Executive Officer, as I see she is Black, she is a PNC, and a typist. Putting square pegs in round circles. Road to failure.

Slop can boy will disagree, typist is a very high qualification in his books. He himself did not go far in school yet he secure a job as top pnc slop can carrier. 

The goady in your brain is taking a toll,think before you post or get it removed.

Django
Django posted:
Drugb posted:
kp posted:
 
 

What is this lady qualifications to be a Regional Executive Officer, as I see she is Black, she is a PNC, and a typist. Putting square pegs in round circles. Road to failure.

Slop can boy will disagree, typist is a very high qualification in his books. He himself did not go far in school yet he secure a job as top pnc slop can carrier. 

The goady in your brain is taking a toll,think before you post or get it removed.

Typical response from the under educated. The PNC love folks like you to peddle their trash as your minds are impressionable, just like the kkk love the skin heads. 

FM
Drugb posted:
 

Typical response from the under educated. The PNC love folks like you to peddle their trash as your minds are impressionable, just like the kkk love the skin heads. 

Haul you ass,you are useless take care of the goady in your brain,it will do you good.

Django
Django posted:
Drugb posted:
 

Typical response from the under educated. The PNC love folks like you to peddle their trash as your minds are impressionable, just like the kkk love the skin heads. 

Haul you ass,you are useless take care of the goady in your brain,it will do you good.

As an official representative (and ass kisser) of the PNC you are using language unbecoming of a pnc news boy.  

FM
Drugb posted:
Django posted:
Drugb posted:
 

Typical response from the under educated. The PNC love folks like you to peddle their trash as your minds are impressionable, just like the kkk love the skin heads. 

Haul you ass,you are useless take care of the goady in your brain,it will do you good.

As an official representative (and ass kisser) of the PNC you are using language unbecoming of a pnc news boy.  

Whose ass you sniffing goady brain ? take care of your deficiency,it will surely make you better.

Django
Django posted:
Riff posted:

bet it was purchased from someone who knows someone.....nice kickback

Crooks and rejects are elected,as expected the pilfering continues.

Oi Django I notice you speak against the govt and yet some of these fellas too dumb to notice. Too bad those same aholes didnt have the balls (except a certain goads who had large ones but still stupid)  to do the same when the PPP erred.

cain
cain posted:
Django posted:
Riff posted:

bet it was purchased from someone who knows someone.....nice kickback

Crooks and rejects are elected,as expected the pilfering continues.

Oi Django I notice you speak against the govt and yet some of these fellas too dumb to notice. 

To some degree pnc news boy has been making veiled criticism of his paymasters. However he is careful not to directly criticize them as his paycheck would suffer. I notice you have yet to fall in line. 

FM
Drugb posted:
cain posted:
Django posted:
Riff posted:

bet it was purchased from someone who knows someone.....nice kickback

Crooks and rejects are elected,as expected the pilfering continues.

Oi Django I notice you speak against the govt and yet some of these fellas too dumb to notice. 

To some degree pnc news boy has been making veiled criticism of his paymasters. However he is careful not to directly criticize them as his paycheck would suffer.

Take care of the goady in your brain,that was developed after the toxic SHIT swallowed at the mouth of the Demerara River.The effects are causing not to think rationally.The sooner that is done sanity will be restored.

Django
Last edited by Django

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