THERE HAS been no response yet from the management of the state-owned Fiscal Services Limited (FSL) to concerns raised by the Auditor General's (AG's) Department in its latest report to Parliament.
In its report for the 2007-2008 fiscal year, the Auditor General's Department points to several questionable transactions, inclu-ding the spending of $3.95 million by FSL to provide security services for the private residence of a member of staff.
While the AG did not name the member of staff, it was noted that there was no indication that this benefit was included in his contract of employment; nor were the amounts paid subject to income tax.
Questionable payment
The AG's Department also questioned the payment of $65,518 for the firearm licence for a member of staff and for the provision of leather-covered personalised appointment diaries.
FSL also spent $182,000 in a questionable transaction on child-care and home-security expenses for an employee who was overseas on official duties, while paying thousands of dollars to send a foreign consultant back overseas for additional training.
The company also paid out a little more than $1 million for staff-related functions in 2006-2007. This was far above the Govern-ment's approved amount.
No comment
Since the report was tabled in Parliament last week, The Gleaner has sought, without success, a response from the management of the company, which provides a full range of computer services to the Government of Jamaica.
Officials of the company have pointed The Gleaner to acting Managing Director Dyon Wool-cock, who has not been available for comment on the payments which have raised the red flag in the AG's Department.
Woolcock started in the job on January 1, 2009, replacing Lorenzo Grant, who was in charge during the period reviewed by the AG.
FSL has been in operation since April and has worked on the development and implementation of systems for various government revenue departments in keeping with the Tax Administration Reform Programme.
arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com
Fiscal folly
Transactions queried by Auditor General's Department:
$3.95 million spent on security at employee's home.
$206,503 paid to two employees; only $25,574 recovered.
US$2.9 million paid to consultants of overseas firm without income tax deducted, even though they have lived in Jamaica for protracted periods.
$6.7 million paid to three consultants without competitive process.
US$721 (J$58,000) refunded to officer who claimed per diem was stolen while on official duties.
US$5,000 repaid to employees without adequate supporting documents shown to AG.
$9.96 million paid to canteen concessionaire without finance ministry's approval shown to AG.
$810,714 reward to staff for participation in Cricket World Cup without evidence of prior approval by the board and the Ministry of Finance.