Part 4: Does There Truly Exist An Unfavourable Dfid Review of The Montserrat Development Corporation?

Part 4: Does There Truly Exist An Unfavourable Dfid Review of The Montserrat Development Corporation?
Author

Jeevan A. Robinson

Release Date

Thursday, December 18, 2014

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Reading through the document from the Department for International Development (Dfid) on the role and function of the recently advertised post of Head of Procurement for Montserrat, it cannot be missed that this document stretches its focus to include the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC).

MNI Alive Media has it on very firm grounds that there is yet another recent Dfid internal report that looks into the MDC specifically, and that report is reportedly in the hands of only a few top officials both here on Montserrat and in London. The contents we have been unofficially informed are striking. Both the Premier of Montserrat, Hon Donaldson Romeo and the Governor, Adrian Davis were asked about this new Dfid report on procurement at the MDC during this past week. Both provided unspecific comment, but neither did they deny the existence of this alleged report.

The Montserrat public awaits to see what further moves will be made on their behalf to ensure that any clouds to do with transparency, accountability, fair play and any potential conflict of interest at the MDC, and the wider Government of Montserrat (GoM) - are handled efficiently and firmly. A moment now for Premier Romeo to show astute leadership on this very critical issue for Montserrat's future development goals beckons.

Again the question must be posed, what procurement guidelines was the MDC following over its tenure?

On August 21, 2014 the CEO of the MDC was asked whilst conducting research into a specific procurement issue, as to what the procurement guidelines were that his organisation followed?

The following response was received;

"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."

A follow up email was sent asking what these procurement guidelines are specifically, towards which we were returned with another none specific answer;

"My response is clear. The vehicles and insurance coverage as stated in my response “were procured according to the MDC policies and guidelines on such matters.”

From a period ranging from August 21st to August 25th, 2014, a series of emails were sent requesting copies of the above mentioned procurement guidelines, towards which no responses were returned. However on August 26th at 9:24am, a response, following one more further request, was delivered to MNI alive Media stating;

“We have given you our response to this matter and we do not intend to comment further.”

To date, the MDC procurement guidelines being referenced were never provided to the media.

Why? Is the question to be asked. If UK public funds are being spent, is it not pertinent and in the public interest that the MDC be seen to be accountable and be forthcoming to the public with information? Why operate the MDC under this assumed mantra of being above questions or public accountability?

With all these questions to be considered, as referenced earlier, the MDC is very much entangled in the malaise over procurement as Dfid state in their specifications for a Head of procurement;

"As part of the UK government’s Commercial Reform programme, it is incumbent on all spending units, including those Overseas Territories using UK public funds that they operate in a transparent, fair and open manner, delivering value for money commercial solutions for the UK taxpayer."

They further go on to mention;

"An audit of the Government of Montserrat’s procurement processes identified a number of opportunities for improving and effectively delivering procurement processes across the island."

Additionally Dfid stated;

"This new role will be responsible for taking forward the GoM’s planned response to the audit findings and will be pivotal to the continued development and improvement of a professional commercial function in the GoM. The post-holder is responsible for all aspects of GoM procurement including the use of funds allocated to “arms-length” organisations such as but not limited to, the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC)."

In further referencing the scope of the job the specifications they went to lengths to explain that the chosen person for this role is expected;

"To develop, agree and implement specific procurement strategies to obtain best value for money and sustainable cost reductions from expenditure on goods, services and works."

This individual will also be;

"Responsible for ensuring that the GoM’s requirements are sourced from the appropriate suppliers utilising sound contractual and commercial arrangements which recognise and mitigate risk and build capacity and capability on island."

Most importantly the terms go on to outline for the post of Head of Procurement that the chosen person is;

"To ensure that contractual arrangements are of sound commercial principle and that performance and relationship management of those suppliers becomes an integral function of the Procurement and Commercial function."

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