Trinidad based PWHC rakes in close to $900,000 for Gov’t Consultancy!
It was unearthed last month in the House of Assembly (HOA) at the December 17, 2013 sitting that the Trinidad based Price Water House Coopers Advisory Services Limited (PWHC) received in payment from the Ministry of Finance some $866,313.30 from October 2012 to October 2013 for services to both the central government and on the Ports Authority Development Project.
The information was made public after a question was posed by Opposition Member Honourable Andrew A. Fahie to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith.
Another important fact from the answer to the question is that over the one year of services from PWHC, all bills were paid to the foreign company while local vendors in the Virgin Islands cannot obtain all payments for their services. Premier Smith confirmed in his answer to Hon. Fahie’s question that, “Madam Speaker, there are no existing balances.”
More money, huge billing for services on backs of tax payers
A review of the payments released to the HOA by Premier Smith over the one year period shows many different contracts, purchase orders and services from PWHC and different costs.
The controversial Forensic Treasury Audit of the Virgin Islands’ Treasury Department, a report that the ruling NDP regime was allegedly hoping to show mismanagement by the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration, costs tax payers a whopping $119,072.50.
The big bucks continued pouring to PWHC with another $241,950.00 for three contracts for the implementation of the Forensic Audit Recommendations.
MF paid big $$$$$ for the controversial Ports Pier Project on consultancy
The controversial Port Pier Project of which our local Auditor General Sonia M. Webster found a web of corruption, violation of the laws and no one looking out for the interest of the tax payers, also received the services of PWHC.
Some $87,759.00 was paid out to PWHC for assisting with Phase 1 of the negotiation of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the Port Project.
If that was not enough, yet another $416,501.80 was paid out in Phase II of the Port Project, according to the information released by the Minister of Finance Dr. Smith on December 17, 2013.
For such a huge sum, the tax payers got business case mobilization, negotiation assistance and assisted with out of pocket expenses for the Trinidad based PWHC.
In addition to ensuring that this company was paid for its services, the sum of $1,030.00 was paid to wire all the many different amounts over a one-year prior.
This brings the grand total paid to PWHC by the NDP Administration within one year to some $866, 313.30.
All contracts were signed by Brian Hackett, Managing Director for and on behalf of Price Water House Coopers Advisory Services Limited. While Dr. Smith signed on behalf of the Government, all purchase orders were signed by the Deputy Financial Secretary Wendell M. Gaskin CFE.
Premier Smith told Parliament at the HOA sitting that the money was provided via Head 2329 (Ministry of Finance) Subhead 528299 (Other Consultancy).
It is important to note that this figure only represents monies paid out to PWHC from the central government but does not represent any of the Statutory Bodies [independent government agencies] which have also engaged the services of PWHC.
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43 Responses to “Trinidad based PWHC rakes in close to $900,000 for Gov’t Consultancy!”
So what? Like VIP never paid consultancy fees.. it's part of running a government. Not because the country broke means work must stop and shut down the country..Facts is, when NDP got in there was no money. Yes, NDP saw to it that new monies came in thus they could continue running the country an not shut it down.
To create asset for a country's treasury is to create business such as service, service brings into the country goods to sell, those goods must paid duty, this duty is then place in the country's treasury. Then we got money to build and repair roads and other things. The government should paid the little man so he can survive, the big company will go and take their money with them. Goverment is time someone go and get their PHD, their Master Degree or whatever is necessary to have a local Forencis Auditor firm here. Train them now, you won't regret it.
Vip gave baker tilly 300k to tell them the civil service is too big. I just have to laugh at the horse and pony bu....it None.of these guys are good for the country.
VIP did lie and say NDP left the country broke. How soon we forget same Andrew and Fraser said the reason they weren't able to do anything was because of the HOSPITAL? LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Don't lie. They blame NDP and Hospital while spending money on bu...it. $6mil greenhouse, $2mil scbay wall, $100k drag study, $500k med school study, $800k to claude for god knows what, $300k to tell Govt what any PS could tell them, $2mil on Purcel Comm Center, $4mil on johnson ghut bath tub to catch more water. Need I go on? Boss when you talk, talk all. IF NDP are corrupt where are the proceedings to get them prosecuted? ALl bark no bite, they fight in the light but cuddle after dark. Show me a broke politician opposition or govt..nuff said.