–as investigations continue into major fraud at T&HD Parika

FOLLOWING reports that a major fraud was uncovered at the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) operations at Parika, two cashiers have not shown up for work.

At the same time, two other personnel who are also under investigation in connection with the fraud remain on the job. Reports are that one employee was recently promoted to oversee the T&HD operations on the Essequibo Coast, a move which has raised several eyebrows.

A source familiar with the situation told the Guyana Chronicle that the cashiers would issue receipts to truck drivers using the Essequibo River ferry service being offered by the T&HD.

The cashiers would then remove the carbon copied leaves from the books “so it would look as if no trucks pass,” the source said.

T&HD officials at the Parika Stelling on the East Bank of Essequibo had expressed concern that moves may be afoot to cover up the activity following a recent audit.

According to reports, an audit of the Department’s books was conducted during the second quarter of 2017 at its office at Parika.

When the audit was completed, it was discovered that the receipt books were tampered with. The fraud may have been in progress since April 2016, but came to a sudden halt around May this year.

Given the period over which the activity was happening, the T&HD may have lost millions of dollars. A source at Parika noted that the auditors brought the matter to the attention of the Department’s head but nothing came of it.

The T&HD operates several ferry vessels along the Essequibo River daily. The service is seen as critical, as it bridges the economic link along the waterway.