Tobago Correspondent
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says it is up to the Office of the Procurement Regulator, not the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). to determine whether the Tobago Rehional Health Authority (TRHA) followed proper procedure in acquiring new ambulances.
During his contribution to the THA budget debate, Augustine condemned the minority council’s pressure over the procurement.
“The member opposite and his friends have made very heavy weather, about some ambulances on the island and I want to address that before I close, because many people don’t understand how the procurement system works,” Augustine said.
He confirmed that the THA has referred the documents for external review.
“The instruction went to the TRHA since that time to send all of the procurement documents to the office of the procurement regulator. Let the office of the procurement regulator make a determination as to whether the procurement process was good or bad,” he said.
Augustine said executive members have no influence over procurement decisions.
“We don’t have any say in procurement. You know, we have no say whatsoever.
“Only a named procurement officer and the accounting officer for the division have a say and if, as an executive, we say, ‘Go buy five bales of toilet paper,’ they could just go out and buy the cheapest.
“We can’t go and tell the procurement people we don’t want this cheap brand, that is not efficient, buy this brand, it’s better.”
“We could send them the scope they tender, and then we on the back end must blindly hope that what they in fact tendered for and what they have in fact procured meets the needs that we have for the people of the island, and hope to God that they align,” he said.
The ambulance controversy surrounds a 2023 contract for 12 new ambulances that cost over $16 million. Only four vehicles have been delivered so far.
There were concerns about their condition and efficiency when they arrived. Soon after going into service one of them reportedly failed to climb a hill, raising serious questions about whether the ambulances are suitable for Tobago’s terrain.
The matter has drawn sharp criticism. Minority Leader Kelvon Morris has written to the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau, former acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin and the procurement regulator calling for a criminal probe.
IDA political leader Dr Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus has also demanded answers, saying the issue should be referred to the Integrity Commission and the Fraud Squad.
She also called for a full audit of all contracts awarded by the THA from 2021 to now.
At a press conference last month the RHA denied all allegations of wrongdoing saying if the ambulance doesn’t meet the needs to the people, the island can recover its money.