Dear Editor,

GUYANESE must have noticed the most recent publication in the press of the findings of the Forensic Auditor who, in 2015, conducted the forensic audit of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).As Chairman of the Board of NIS for the period 2011 – 2015, within which the audit was done, I must make the following remarks:

1: Neither the auditor nor the Granger Government afforded the Board (2011 – 2015) the professional convention of first responding to the Auditor’s findings.

2: That Board was unceremoniously relieved of its appointment and responsibilities in May 2015, and eventually replaced en bloc, with the exception of the opposition (APNU) nominated member.

3: The General Manager of the Scheme is, by law, a member and Deputy Chairman of the Board.

4: The Forensic Auditor failed to address the issue of whether evidence was unveiled to establish that the Board conducted its affairs and obtained financial benefits from irregular actions.

The findings of the Forensic Auditor which have been displayed in the press should, and must, be answered.

Were the Financial Auditor or the Granger Government so inclined to solicit such an intervention, it should be directed to the competent authority.

R.F. LUNCHEON, MD
Former Board Chairman
NIS