By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
LORETTA Butler-Turner, FNM Deputy leader has demanded a full explanation of the grounds on which the government has approved another forensic audit of the National Insurance Board.
This time, officials will be conducting a probe into the operations of NIB’s National Prescription Drug Plan which was launched in 2010, The Tribune can confirm.
However, Mrs Butler-Turner questioned why more NIB contribution funds are to be spent after $861,606 had already been spent on a forensic audit into allegations made by fired Board Chairman Gregory Moss and former Director Algernon Cargill against each other. Rowena Bethel has been selected to fill the director’s post, The Tribune understands.
“Exactly what are they looking for that they didn’t pick up in the forensic audit that just wrapped up recently?” Mrs Butler-Turner asked.
“I would be very interested in knowing why we are being so reckless with the spending of NIB money because it seems like all of its money is going towards audits.
“Now we are going back for another one. Minister Gibson needs to make clear what the parameters are for this audit and what they are trying to find out and this should be articulated to the Bahamian people.”
Attempts were made to contact NIB and Labour Minister Shane Gibson, but he did not respond.
The previous audit, conducted by the government contracted firm of Grant Thornton Bahamas was released and turned over to the House of Parliament almost two months ago.
That probe, which took nearly four months to complete, November 30 to March 24, found that bonuses appeared to have been inflated and also highlighted the need for amended laws to govern the nation’s social security net.
An investigation was ordered after a letter written by Mr Moss was published on the internet outlining why Mr Cargill should be terminated as NIB’s chief.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 9 months ago
Another open ended contract? Please Opposition request a copy of the contract and review it carefully. What rate are we being charged at and for what work? How many people are to be interviewed? How many hours have they estimated for the interview process? How much time to consolidate the information? Is there a "not to exceed" clause included? Is the contract already signed or is he just informing us of his intent? Based on surveys from other accounting firms, what are the normal parameters for each of the above?
Mr Prime Minister if you have million dollar line items popping up just 3wks post budget, how can you ever hope to manage the funds you borrowed? You do realize that that money has already been accounted for...don't you?
This is real shame, our name is mud. Fox Hill's prison wall needs to be extended down town.
Islandgirl 10 years, 9 months ago
Was this put out to tender? Or is the cost of this included in that astronomical and ridiculous $800+ thousand dollars that their pals charged a few months ago? I hope this goes back straight to 2002 for analysis. We need to know what this current government did and covered up last time around too. They are just blatant with their abuse this time out.
Tarzan 10 years, 9 months ago
Still waiting for the "shocking news" Mr. Gibson promised after the last expenditure of nearly a million dollars.
This is called "divert attention from the disintegration of the society, anyway we can".
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