‘Damning’ findings uncovered by probe into Gov’t asphalt plant

The investigation into a racket at the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation’s Asphalt Plant at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, has unearthed some alarming discoveries. 

Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill received the final report from Chateram Ramdihal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chateram Ramdihal, Chartered Accountants. Minister within the Ministry, Hon. Deodat Indar also received a copy. 

Mr. Ramdihal said the team could not determine whether allegations of reselling of Government’s asphalt at discounted prices were true, due to the lack of internal controls. 

However, the investigators found that the sale of asphalt was poorly done, and there was no policy in place for credit and credit limits for customers. The plant was also paying rental for transportation almost at a cost that could have afforded them a new vehicle. 

The asphalt was being weighed at the Demerera Harbour Bridge, located some 10 miles away from the plant. The accountant said this posed several risks, including the possibility of asphalt being taken out before being weighed. He also revealed there was a closer, cheaper alternative.

Mr. Ramdihal disclosed that the Ministry was paying for asphalt in advance with no records to determine if the amount received was what was paid for.  

A worrying finding was that the plant purchased cold mix from a Trinidad company registered in 2016, the same year the purchase arrangement began. Alarmingly, the asphalt plant advanced that company over $9 million in 2015, the year before it was registered. 

The team also discovered that the Demerara Harbour Bridge’s General Manager in 2019 approved the purchase of a bracelet for himself in observance of International Men’s Day, for $897,000 without the Board of Directors’ approval. 

“Normally approval for those limits should have been done by the Board, and if there is no Board at the time, the expectation is that it is escalated to the subject minister at the time,” Ramdihal said. 

In his remarks, Minister Edghill said the report was ‘damning’, and those who are culpable will be dealt with. He will be summoning a meeting with the Board to deliberate on the findings and specific actions. 

“The intent of the investigation was not a witch hunt, it was to tell us what is happening, and if there is culpability, we will not allow it; we will not reward bad behaviour. The PPP/C Administration will not promote or reward skullduggery. The commitment that we have is to ensure that the harsh criticism that came from the Auditor General’s report is not repeated under our watch,” Minister Edghill said.

The report will be made public by the end of the day.