CRIME Chief, Mr. Leslie James, yesterday disclosed that Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Leslie Cadogan, is expected to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today, as the investigations into the alleged fraud by Surendra Engineering Company Limited (SECL) continue.

“We have spoken to Mr. Cadogan already, and we are in the process of taking his statement. He will be required to report to us tomorrow morning (today)… Based on the information we gain from him, we will be guided as to who else we will be speaking to,” he said.
The company, which won the bid for the contract to design and construct the proposed Specialty Hospital, has had its contract terminated by the Government of Guyana earlier this month.
The current administration announced its intention to move against SECL after citing what it termed “deep concerns” over the execution of the contract, both as it relates to technical shortcomings and suspicion of fraud.
The Government of Guyana, since June this year, had been engaging SECL on a number of issues regarding allegations of fraud and financial irregularities. Initially, the Government’s concerns related to delayed milestones, and inadequate accountability by SECL for public funds the company had received on signing the contract with the Ministry of Health.
Subsequently, the Government of Guyana discovered that SECL’s representative in Guyana had submitted a fraudulent document purporting to emanate from the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. The fraudulent act by SECL has since been confirmed by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
The Crime Chief told the Guyana Chronicle that no official from SECL has been interviewed as yet.
The start of the investigation came after a dossier of documents was submitted to the police by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, with a letter requesting such a procedure.
When the contract was terminated, Nandlall noted that the course of action to be taken will include: Termination of the contract and engaging the police; and requesting an investigation into the alleged fraud, both of which actions have already been taken.
He had stated too that there was every likelihood of pursuing civil litigation against the company for compensation, damages and breach of contract.
SECL’s contract for the design and construction of the Specialty Hospital began in September 2012, after a bid of US$18.1M.
Reports indicate that to date, the structural designs for the project have been completed, while the architectural designs are currently being reviewed. Physical progress has been seen on the essential site preparation which is some 75 per cent completed. On the building foundations 361 piles have been supplied and 235 piles have been driven.
Additionally, a 12-month contract was been inked with consultant, VIKAB Engineering Consultants Limited, which was the company working with a local evaluation team that uncovered the irregularities and contract violations that forced the termination of the SECL engagement on the Specialty Hospital.
The current administration has made clear that it has lost confidence in the capabilities of Surendra Engineering Company Limited.

(By Vanessa Narine)