SOCU grills minister’s relative as GPF pay $62 million for fish, other items
As the investigations into alleged financial irregularities into Deputy Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus continue, investigators seem to be entering unchartered waters.
BIG Smith News Watch has been informed that the relative of at least one sitting Government Minister was roped in for questioning as her name appeared on several documents being reviewed by the Special Organized Crime Unit.
According to sources at SOCU, the minister’s relative began supplying the Guyana Police Force with ration and other supplies after another government minister, intervened and instructed the force to have the woman listed as a supplier.
Last week Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said that the Guyana Police Force has some serious issues concerning procurement and that audits will be conducted for the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Prison Service, and Guyana Fire Service.
SOCU sources indicate that several business persons were called in and asked to explain aspects of vouchers under review by SOCU. The source stated that based on other documents being supplied by the force finance and admin offices, several other suppliers and service providers will be called in.
In her interrogation recently, the minister’s relative reportedly told investigators the business is not owned by her despite her name being on the registration. She said she was asked to handle the day-to-day operations of the establishment.
In records, the women’s rates for basic commodities were in some instances, three and four times higher than that of other suppliers but notwithstanding that, the police force went ahead and took commodities from her ahead of other suppliers whose prices and rates were lower.
“We have a procurement commission, we have an auditor general, accountant general, we have an integrity commission, and other places and persons, all will have to fall in line in relation to cleaning up and tidying up this problem,” Minister of Home Affairs Robeson told a police Symposium one week ago.
On Thursday the minister’s relative was recalled to the Special Organized Crime Unit where detectives had a confrontation between her and a police sergeant in respect to the activities of supplying rations and other food stuff to the Guyana Police Force.
In documents seen by this publication, the Guyana Police Force over some time, paid just under fourteen million dollars to the company the minister’s relative operates.
“If monies go to places where they should not go, it means there is massive collusion and corruption, that’s the only explanation for it, and if people think they can hide and carry money wherever and whenever and think that we would not find out… you don’t need a doctorate to find out” Minister Benn said during his force’s symposium.
Last week Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said that the Guyana Police Force has some serious issues with procurement and that audits will be conducted for the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Prison Service, and Guyana Fire Service.
Deputy Commissioner Calvin Brutus remains off the job as the investigations continue.
