The audit also found that the university spent millions of taxpayers’ dollars on contractors and suppliers, without any supporting documents. In fact some of the contractors who received money were never awarded contracts.
The investigation also found that there was widespread favouring of certain contractors, with allegations of kickbacks being offered to UTT staff.
The investigators also noted that contracts went to suppliers and contractors in which UTT’s management or staff had an interest, or in which their relatives had an interest.
All this information is contained in a special report in the Sunday Guardian. The report said the investigating team found payments of claims in respect of cost overruns were settled without proper documentary support.
In addition the investigators found out that signed and authorised payments were made to consultants and musicians based abroad, with no requirement for them to complete time sheets, and no other available evidence of the work performed.
The audit also raised questions about a number of individuals being paid as employees at UTT despite either not performing any work, or also being paid by another company or of having left UTT.
Since the cabinet-mandated audit two top officials have been suspended - UTT’s vice president finance, administration and procurement Lennard Prescod and Dave Bhajan, vice president of capital projects and institutional planning.
Chairman of the UTT board, Prof. Ken Ramchand, suspended both men on December 7 with full pay and allowances until January 31, 2011, pending the determination of the investigation.
Attorney-General Anand Ramlogan has not commented on the suspension, the Guardian stated. The paper quoted the AG as saying: “I would not wish to prejudice those investigations at this stage.” He said the investigation is likely to continue until march 2011, the Guardian reported.
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