Dear Editor,
THIS writer has been involved with tendering for security contracts for over 38 years. I have seen a lot of bad, and much ugliness in this process. However, I wish to state that in recent years things seem to have taken a dip for the worse and this gives a negative image to the Government of the day. In fairness, I do not believe that the Government encourages corruption or is involved in the deceit that preponderates the system of tender awards. At the same time, any thinker can see the award of tenders usually involves favouritism, nepotism and even corruption. Of course, I also observed this practice during the term of the previous Government.
Being a businessman who is involved in the security industry, I can comment on the hardships faced when tendering for security contracts. However, I believe this is a common phenomenon in the other industries as well. Sadly, it does not only happen with Ministerial tenders but also with the Regional, Institutional, Corporation, and Government Agency and Government Commission tenders. As I have continuously stated, I have no political axe to grind. As a patriot, all I desire is good governance from whoever is elected.
At least 99% of all tenders for security are known for its mathematical disorder and illogicality. Whether the documents are not explicit enough in its criteria, or the calculations (inclusive of personnel numbers) do not add up, there is always some drama and confusion.
Further, many times our company must call to advise them on our observances, which sometimes lead to appreciation at times but also annoyances and a “don’t care” attitude at other times. Our company, RK’s Guyana Security Services has been in business for almost four (4) decades and so we understand the complications that come from tendering for certain contracts. Once again, this is not new for this administration, as it occurred in the past.
I wish to state that it would appear that once a particular company offers a rate to make it competitive, for no justifiable reason whatsoever, the tenders are cancelled and are retendered. It seems as though the persons in these governmental institutions believe tenders are a joke and something to use for personal benefits and gratuities. Meanwhile, some other prejudices may be involved: apparent political; apparent racism; apparent just dislikes of personality. Retenders are costly and it would appear that certain administrators in Ministries and Commissions don’t seem to realise that tendering is a very costly venture, it takes many hours (costly for labour), it takes a lot of mental energy to fulfill all the criteria. In many cases, a tenderer must repurchase the tender documents. Added to that, it takes costs for financial accountants to procure financial compliances. And finally, in all tenders, a company must find tens of thousands and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars for a bid security. One Commission has retendered thrice (3 times) over the past few months unjustifiably. Can any scholar imagine why? To note, that Commission has already had fingers pointed at it for numerous acts of alleged corruption and conspiracies.
It is the opinion of the undersigned that whenever a retender is advertised, Government Ministries, Commissions and Institutions should provide the new tender documents free of charge to those who previously tendered and to compensate for the 2% bid security. On a frequent basis, it has been observed that one particular company, who is usually the highest tender, receives the award. My company, RK’s Guyana Security Services will never tender below cost so we do not believe in the lowest tender as it creates a social crisis. Since in order to do this, Value Added Tax (VAT) will be stolen (and I know many companies which does this), NIS contributions will be stolen (again) and even declare bankruptcy to hoodwink the NIS, GRA and the entire Government structure. This particular company in 2015 was awarded a contract for the Ministry of Communities although its bid was 30 million dollars above our tender. Also, RK’s served this Ministry for over two years without a complaint, without a loss and with an extremely high caliber of service. That same company then took over a contract from us at the Ministry of Agriculture, even though their tender was 10 million dollars above ours. For the year and a half that we served the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry was happy and we are proud to have departed both locations with dignity and honour.
I definitively wish to highlight that throughout the entire Government structure, there seems to be rampant acts of favouritism, nepotism and corruption. I wish to be pellucid that in the former and current administrations, persons were/are self-seekers of enhancement and then there are others, who hate and dislike.
I believe that Cabinet would not be involved in any activity that is unprincipled and dishonourable. There appears to be a group of people of power operating like a “Shadow Cabinet”, which overrides the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and the official Cabinet, awards are being given and taken away by its “whim and fancy”. The evidence that I have at hand can prove embarrassing to the Government nationally and internationally. I have written to the highest authorities, met with several honorable personalities and professionals in the Government all of whom were shocked by the scenario.
Even as it looks like an attempt to destroy me and my business, the individual leading this charge does not realise that he and his “Shadow Cabinet” cannot hurt me. I believe in a God of the Worlds so any negative, will affect him and his acolytes, or sent my way will affect them and bring judgement on them from the universe. Yes, some will suffer (our staff) that is why our hearts pain and I am depressed. Our company has security ranks employed for 30 years, for 25, 22, 20 and 10 years. As a result of the actions of this “Shadow Cabinet”, our hardworking people who are mainly from a particular ethnic block will be affected.
I have taken the prerogative to move stage by stage in dealing with this matter. Hence as mentioned, I have written numerous letters, but the next step is for this matter to be exposed fully to the media and then eventually, taken up legally in the Supreme Court of Guyana. I would like to encourage this Government to distance itself from the few recalcitrant persons functioning as a “Shadow Cabinet”, as they do not have Guyana at heart but vengeance, self-wealth and power. Our nation has come a long way from independence to ensure accountability, transparency and fairness in tendering, let us only build in these strides.
Regards
Roshan Khan Snr
CEO/Chairman
RK’s Guyana Security Services