PROCUREMENT BOSS HAS GOODS ON CORRUPT POLITICIANS

PROCUREMENT Regulator Moonilal Lalchan has the goods on certain corrupt politicians. 

But it is unlikely that Lalchan would be able to move against the lawbreakers since the relevant law has not been fully proclaimed and he is racing against time. 

Informed sources say the regulator’s office has gathered circumstantial evidence of wrongdoing in the procurement of goods and services with the use of taxpayers’ funds.  

Lalchan has not spoken on the matter. 

But, speaking generally, he told journalists last week that once the law is formalised “we will have the opportunity to investigate from ministers all the way down to officer”. 

He stated: “Once you are involved in those activities, we would be involved in the investigation”. 

The Government has severely diluted the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act. 

The law was partially proclaimed in 2015. 

Even with the scaled-down version, the Government has offered reasons for not having it fully operational. 

As a result, the Office of Procurement Regulator has not been able to complete enquiries into such matters as big-ridding, splitting of tenders, bribery, conflicts of interest, influence-peddling, and obstructive practices.  

The regulator’s office had previously secured information about suspicious dealings in the public sector. 

Under the law, the regulator cannot conduct a retroactive investigation. 

The law protects whistleblowers, and there are reports of several knowledgeable people being keen to share vital information about corrupt activities with the public’s purse. 

In some instances, documentary evidence is said to be available.  

Lalchan’s five-year contract expires in January, and there is speculation that his term of office would not be extended. 

The procurement legislation is a 2015 general election manifesto pledge of the People’s National Movement. 

During the seven-year delay in turning the promise into law, there have been widespread allegations of financial irregularities in the issuance of public contracts by the central government and certain State agencies. 

In some cases, documents of suspicious transactions have been unveiled by the political opposition and certain journalists. 

There have recently been calls for disclosures on the contractors who undertook the multi-million-dollar refurbishment of PNM’s headquarters, Balisier House, at Tranquility Street, Port of Spain. 

There are also reports that part of the extended property is now sitting on privately-owned real estate. 

Lalchan is a respected professional with extensive experience in the public sector. 

He has also served as head of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce.