Jeevan A. Robinson
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
This media house has been investigating financial issues within the MDC, and the activities of some of their top executives. The question on the table is who exactly is the MDC accountable to?
It is understood in these quarters that MDC is funded operationally by DFID, therefore any financial questions should be raised with the DFID team in the first instance. The Premier himself stated during an interview on ZJB Radio, that the MDC does have some measure of accountability to Dfid and ultimately the UK taxpayer.
Premier Meade also informed the nation that all matters relating to the accountability of MDC will also pass through the Government of Montserrat's auditing processes.
So who exactly is the MDC accountable to, both Dfid and the Government of Montserrat?
A UK Taxpayer wrote a formal complaint to DFID and the Secretary of State, Justine Greening, regarding MDC activities and the issue of expense claims. The issue she raised includes taking wives on overseas business trips, the CEO taking a new Director for an evening meal as part of ‘the initiation process’ and charging back to expenses, and the links some MDC Executives have towards being privy to inside knowledge for tendering, and also for future construction projects.
There were two email threads on this issue of MDC expenses. One from a grouping known as “MMF” and the other from a UK Taxpayer lady who goes by the surname of “Reid”. Despite the insistence of the MDC and the Premier that this matter has been looked into and is now closed, UK Taxpayer Reid informed this media that she has never issued such an apology to the MDC as stated, and that she has indeed kept the issue alive with DFid London.
When the CEO of the MDC, Ivan Browne, was contacted by MNI Alive Media as we sought to investigate this matter, the following response was returned;
“The issue of MDC expenses was originally raised via an anonymous email sent out via hush.com to a number of prominent persons in Montserrat. Subsequent to the sending out of this email the allegations were withdrawn in a follow up email with a full apology for the false accusations contained in the original email. A copy of the full apology is given below.
I can confirm that on every occasion a spouse has accompanied an MDC official on a visit all the spouses expenses were met by the relevant MDC official. The cost to the corporation in every such instance was the same as though the official had travelled singly.
I can confirm that on every occasion a spouse has accompanied an MDC official on a visit all the spouses expenses were met by the relevant MDC official. The cost to the corporation in every such instance was the same as though the official had travelled singly.
With regard to Miss Reid, I do not know the lady, I have never met the lady and I certainly have never referred to her in the words attributed to me by her.”
When raised with the DFID office in London, DFID responded to UK Taxpayer Reid, stating they were ‘monitoring’ the situation.
MNI Alive Media contacted Dfid's Montserrat office on the very same issue, who then directed us to the Dfid office in the UK. A Dfid spokesperson in the United Kingdom issued the following statement in response to MNI Alive Media:
“The Department for International Development does not tolerate misuse of taxpayers’ funds in any form and where there is evidence of misuse it is our policy is to recover funds wherever possible.”
Premier Meade himself noted during interview that the Government of Montserrat will investigate any claims of corruption or similar.
Does this mean the future development of MDC is controlled by GOM or by DFID? Why does DFID continue to take audits of MDC and Annual Reviews accordingly?
This poses a very interesting scenario and the question is still asked, who is the MDC accountable to and in matters such as these where the top executives should be brought to account, who is taking ownership?
During the interview on ZJB Radio conducted with Premier Meade, he also made it very clear that he will not condone nepotism, favouritism nor cronyism in any form, and that the Chairman of the MDC, as stated by the Premier himself, will not be allowed to tender for current or future MDC construction projects.
We further undertook to ask the MDC for clarification on procurement issues for the purchasing of vehicles and insurance as it is understood the purchases were from one of the MDC's top Executive's business partners, and insurance purchased from another business associate of that individual.
The response received from the MDC CEO when asked about this issue was:
"Please be advised that our only comment on this matter is that all MDC vehicles and the insurance coverage for same were procured according to the MDC policies and guidelines on such matters."
This Media House followed up by asking the MDC's CEO to furnish us with a copy of the procurement procedures as was mentioned. No response was forthcoming with regards to providing the information requested. We made further requests of the CEO, as late as today, Tuesday August 26, 2014. The exchange is presented below:
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeevan Robinson
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 9:39 AM
To: Ivan Browne
Cc: Lindorna Brade; Allan Clarkin; Kato Kimbugwe; Kenny Dick;
Subject: MDC Expense and Procurement Procedures
Dear Ivan,
MNI Alive media has sent three requests (unanswered) requesting copies of
MDC Procurement Procedures.
I am preparing an article on the use of MDC expenses and if correct
procurement procedure has been followed as I have indicated to you
previously.
Last night Hon Premier Meade confirmed that MDC must comply with GOM
procurement procedures and is accountable as such, he suggested I deliver
any findings to a new investigatory unit he has established to ensure
adherence to procurement procedures. He also clarified he would not condone
any form of nepotism in commercial matters relating to GOM regulated bodies.
Can you please supply me with the relevant procurement procedures MDC used
to purchase vehicles competitively and insurance for the vehicles?
This in response to findings that they were purchased from a business
partner of Chairman John Ryan and insured by the company owned by John Ryan.
Many thanks
--
Jeevan Robinson
CEO & Editor-in-Chief
Marketing, News & Information (MNI Alive)
-------------------------------------------
From: "Ivan Browne"
Date: 26 August 2014 09:42:26 EDT
To: "'Jeevan Robinson'"
Subject: RE: MDC Expense and Procurement Procedures
Dear Jeevan,
We have given you our response to this matter and we do not intend to
comment further.
Regards
Ivan
Ivan B Browne
Chief Executive
Montserrat Development Corporation
Tel: Office 1664 491 4702 Mobile: 1664 495 9888
Is there something to keep from the public why a straight answer is not forthcoming from the CEO of the MDC in providing the procurement procedures as requested?
The question remains, who is the MDC accountable to, and to who next do those who want to complain or investigate approach? As the MDC's top Executive seemingly does not want to provide the information required to clarify this matter.
