Further investigations could be carried out at Hanover Parish Council

Further investigations could be carried out at the Hanover Parish Council in the wake a probe by the Office of  the Contractor-General, OCG, into the sale of  a Government vehicle in 2014 to then Mayor of  Lucea, Shernette Haughton.

A report from the OCG, tabled in the House of  Representatives yesterday has raised questions regarding the sale of  the vehicle, a 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. The probe was prompted by an allegation from an anonymous source that the vehicle was valued for $3.2 million but sold to the Mayor for $2.2 million. It was also alleged that guidelines governing the sale of  Government vehicles were breached.

According to the OCG, the method utilised by the Hanover Parish Council to dispose of  the vehicle, exhibited impropriety and irregularity on the part of  the principal accountable officer, Judy McKenzie-Lawrence, who was the Secretary Manager.

It added that the process demonstrated a disregard for the policy and guidelines in the sale and the naming of  Ms. Haughton as the successful bidder was without merit. The OCG report states that the sale was by way of  a closed auction conducted by the Hanover Parish Council instead of  being open to all Government employees.

It said the Parish Council breached the Revised Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Policy for the Public Sector, as Ms. Haughton was employed to the Hanover Parish Council as Mayor for only two years. The OCG has sent its report to the Ministry of  Local Government.

It has also referred the matter to the Ministry of  Finance to determine the sanctions for breaches by the relevant officers, present and past, at the Hanover Parish Council. The OCG also wants the purchase of  the Toyota Land Cruiser Pradodeemed null and void and the appropriate authorities conduct their further investigations.

And the OCG has recommended that an investigation be carried by the Ministry of Local Government into the protocols and standard operating procedures at the Hanover Parish Council. It says this will promote and foster principles of  good governance and engender public confidence.

The Office of the Contractor General has also recommended that the Ministry put the necessary enforcement mechanisms in place to ensure that all Parish Councils abide by principles, regulations and guidelines, with sanctions for failure to comply. The OCG report comes weeks after Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie ordered an audit of  the Hanover Parish Council.