Strachan

Payments and benefits amounting to more than $8 million, made to a former senior officer at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) in breach of established government guide-lines, ranks high on the litany of violations reported by former Auditor General Adrian Strachan in his final report to Parliament.

Mr. Strachan, who retired at the end of 2007, pointed out in his annual report for the year ended March 31, 2007, that the Standards Council at the BSJ approved the payment to the former executive.

Giving a breakdown, the Auditor General said the former senior officer was given emoluments amounting to $4,457,611; motor vehicle $3,422,920; gift of office equipment $326,249; and life insurance of $536,250.

Recovering benefits

"The bureau was asked to recover these benefits and payments from the former senior officer, failing which the Ministry of Finance should see to invoke the sanctions provisions of the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act," he said.

Information manager at the BSJ, Shernette Muccuth Henry, told The Gleaner she would liaise with Dr. Camella Rhone, executive director, to provide details about queries made by The Gleaner in relation to the Auditor General's report.

However, in a terse response, Mrs. Muccuth Henry said: "We acknowledge your queries in relation to the most recent Auditor General's report. The issues you have identified for comment from the Bureau of Standards Jamaica are best directed to our Portfolio Ministry (Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce)."

A source at the Auditor General's Department said the vehicle was sold to the former senior officer at the time the person was leaving the agency the stipulation for the sale of government vehicles was not observed.

In terms of the disposal of assigned government-owned vehicles, the government policy clearly states that the vehicle must be at least three years old.

It also states that the prospective purchaser must have been assigned the vehicle for his/her full-time use for a period not less than three years.

However, the senior officer was assigned a sport utility vehicle (SUV), but was allowed to purchase the vehicle, which was less than three years old, in breach of the government's motor vehicle policy.