THE Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) said, yesterday, that its views, with deep concern, the story published in Kaieteur News on July 11, 2012 headlined: ‘Massive racket uncovered at Police Vehicles Auction’. In response to the publication, the Ministry said it is appalled at the extent to which some ranks within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) would go to sell information, about the Force, in exchange for money or to sell information about the said organisation as a way of grinding an axe with their colleagues within the Force.
A Ministry press statement said that, by divulging this matter to the Kaieteur News only, those disloyal ranks within the Force make it appear as if the Kaieteur News is an anti-corruption tribune and a paragon of virtue in Guyana.
The Ministry emphasised that, since April 2012, it had instructed the Permanent Secretary to initiate an investigation into the matter, based on reliable information which had come to the attention of the Minister’s Secretariat.
“Since the instruction was issued, the Minister has, from time to time, requested to be updated on the status of the investigation. Regrettably, nothing has been forthcoming.
“In the meantime, the Minister had warned those persons who were carrying out the investigation that there appeared to be foot dragging on the issue which, implicitly, reeked of an attempt at a cover-up and to protect the police ranks involved, as well as a staff member at the Ministry who was identified as being involved in the matter,” the release said.
It added that the Ministry’s staff member had, subsequently, applied for annual vacation leave but the application was not supported, having regard to the fact that an investigation into the matter involving the very staff member was ongoing.

PREDICTED
The statement continued: “As was predicted, the results of the investigation never reached the Minister’s desk but, instead, reached the desk of the Editor of the Kaieteur News without any reference whatsoever to the investigation launched by the Ministry.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs expresses its deep disappointment with the manner in which this investigation was dealt with by the Office for Professional Responsibility (OPR) of the Guyana Police Force.
“The Ministry is disgusted with those within the Force who have no respect for their uniform and prefer to exchange it for a second pay packet from the Kaieteur News.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs takes this opportunity to inform about circumstances surrounding the purchase of a 30 ft ocean worthy boat which was handed over, by the Ministry of Home Affairs, on August 23, 2011, to the Guyana Police Force at a cost of $16,974,000.
“It is to be regretted that, from the day the boat arrived in Guyana, the problems with it were never ending and the continuous purchasing of spares and payments for maintenance was placing a heavy toll on the budget of the Guyana Police Force.
“The cost for maintenance and purchase of spare parts for the boat amounted to millions of dollars.
“The identification and procurement of the boat was left to the Guyana Police Force since they insisted that they knew the type of boat they wanted.

QUOTATIONS
Quotations were obtained from the following agencies:
Car Mart    –        $20,286,000
Rama D.B.K. Ltd    –    $18,733,500
Cartronics – IV    –    $16,974,000

“On the basis of a recommendation from the National Procurement and Tender Board, Cabinet issued its no objection for the purchase of the boat from Cartronics – IV.
“The Police were responsible for the processing of payment to the supplier, which was done through Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. They were also responsible for the receipt, inspection and storage of the boat.
“What was intended to be a transparent, normal purchase ended up as a scam involving a small group of high level members of the Guyana Police Force.
“The small group of high level officers was in contact with the Head of Cartronics-IV and conducted the financial transaction.
“An internal investigation, based on sound information received, was launched into the circumstances surrounding the purchase of the boat.
“The scam was busted and the culprits at home and abroad were identified. The Government demanded repayment of all the money from the local culprits who had collected kickbacks. Some paid while others paid for those who refused to return their share. The money recovered was paid into the Consolidated Fund.
“The overseas based vendor was threatened with prosecution. He fixed the boat which sailed for a few weeks and then broke down never to sail again.
“The Government has decided to place the boat up for auction,” the Ministry statement disclosed.