SOCU finds no criminal offence committed or misuse of funds on feasibility study of and design of the New Demerara River Bridge

DPI, Guyana, Friday, June 14, 2019

The probe by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) into the contract for the feasibility study and design of the new Demerara River Bridge came up empty. This is according to a press release by the Guyana Police Force.

The investigation by was prompted by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira writing the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), asking that that body investigate the selection and award of a $146 million contract to Dutch consulting firm Lievense CSO.

However, according to the release from the GPF, SOCU found that “there was no misuse of funds, there is no evidence that a criminal offence has been committed and there is no evidence of any collusion between Arie Mol/ Lievense CSO and the personnel from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.”

Additionally, following the reports in the media surrounding the matter back in 2018, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure strongly condemned the misinformation that was being peddled. In that release, the Ministry detailed the process engaged before a firm was selected to conduct the study.

“MPI reiterates that lengthy procurement procedures were faithfully followed which did not yield suitable results. Having thereafter received a proposal which satisfied the government’s requirements for this project of national importance and given the relevant time constraints, it was felt that it was in Guyana’s interest to take advantage of the proposal. It is for this and other stated reasons that Cabinet’s approval was sought,” the release stated.