`It (contract) was irregularly done and I have to get answers to these questions...you cannot conclude any contract unless you have money...you have to do so in the context of the provision of funds.' - President Jagdeo By Wendella Davidson PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday emphatically stated that the awarding of a US$220,500 contract to print volumes of the Laws of Guyana was "irregular" and placed the blame squarely at the level of the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

The ministry, the President said, was the source ministry and not the Central Tender Board as Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Ganga Persaud had said earlier.

At a news conference at the Office of the President, Mr. Jagdeo said that from all he has seen the contract was "irregular" and that answers will have to be provided.

He wondered how a contract, which attracts international funding could have been concluded without the "no objection" condition sought from the funding agency, which is standard and a prerequisite for the awarding of such contracts.

In addition, he said, no money was apportioned in the 2000 Budget for the project and neither in the just-presented 2001 Budget.

"It (contract) was irregularly done and I have to get answers to these questions...you cannot conclude any contract unless you have money...you have to do so in the context of the provision of funds", the President told reporters.

Told of an alleged letter of credit which exists, the President remarked, "Who will pay? No one has any authority to commit funds or disburse funds other than the Minister."

He explained that it is standard procedure for foreign-funded contracts, although there is a decision by Cabinet, that a number of other processes "must be adhered (to)."

The printing of the volumes of the Laws of Guyana was projected under the judiciary upgrading programme and the contract was awarded to New Global Consults Inc., with offices at 126-03 Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill, Queens, New York.

The issue is under an extensive probe by the Office of the President and on Wednesday, Persaud had told reporters the contract was executed "on the basis of a Cabinet decision", which had clearly stated that an award was made.

Persaud said that in executing the contract on March 15, the Ministry of Legal Affairs was only complying with "the orders of Cabinet" and had "confirmed unconditionally with all directives therein."

His remarks were in response to an announcement by the Office of the President on Tuesday that an intensive probe was ongoing and was to be concluded soon into how the contract was executed without the knowledge of Cabinet.

Yesterday, President Jagdeo said he expects to receive the "answers" by Tuesday.

Persaud on Wednesday cited two documents, Cabinet Decision C.P. (2001) 2:1:N issued on February 13, 2001 and signed by then acting Head of the Presidential Secretariat/Secretary to the Cabinet, Ms. Jennifer Webster; and a memorandum from the Central Tender Board (CTB) dated February 20, 2001 and addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Legal Affairs,

He claimed that the signing took place at the Ministry of Legal Affairs on March 15, 2001 and those affixing their signatures to effect the project were himself, on behalf of the ministry, and Sonny Singh on behalf of the company and Mr. Edon Warsalie, also a representative of the company as the witness.

Persaud contended that in his dealing with the contract he was privy to two documents none of which made any mention of "any objection from any financial institution or agency."

He said too that the process was initiated by the CTB, but the President refuted this saying it was the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Mr. Claude Marks who did so.

He had documentation to substantiate the fact.

In addition, the President spoke of another document dated February 5, 2001, sent from Persaud to the Chairman of the CTB seeking approval for waiver of the Tender Board procedures.

The February 13 document from the Office of the President states, "Cabinet considered the above-mentioned memorandum CP2001 2:1:N submitted by the Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and approved Central Tender Board procedure being waived to facilitate sole sourcing for the reproduction of the Laws of Guyana by New Global Consults Inc. of the USA at the cost of US$222,500."

The cost included US$65,000 for printing; handling and shipping US$7,500; US$110,000 for binding and US$$40,000 for the production of the CD discs.

But the President, responding to a query yesterday, remarked that no sole-sourcing was necessary as the requisite skills exist in Guyana.

Persaud had said that the project was looked at as an entire package, comprising the printing, compact discs and website, and he was unaware there was any firm here offering such a complete package.

Asked if Cabinet had verified whether New Global Consults Inc. of the USA was a legal entity, the President said "No", adding that that should have been done at the CTB level.