Christie cites improper conduct, irregularity at Customs auction

Friday, March 19, 2010

CONTRACTOR General Greg Christie says the Jamaica Customs Department violated several of its own rules during a controversial two-day auction for abandoned motor vehicles last year, which he said was rife with favouritism to members of the police force.

Outlining his findings in a 99-page report tabled in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Christie said his investigations into the auction, which took place on June 30 and July 1 last year, were prompted by the "allegations of irregular, improper and questionable procedures in the conduct of the said auction".

According to Christie, contrary to Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker's own public assertions that "...everything has been done in accordance with the rules and regulations, and done properly", there was improper conduct, irregularity and non-adherence to the rules which govern the department's public auctions of motor vehicles.

He said his conclusion was based on the fact that although the Customs Department's rules specifically state that all successful bidders must make a minimum 10 per cent deposit on motor vehicles, several vehicles were awarded to members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), although the required deposit was not paid by them.

In addition, he said the JCF representatives were allowed to revisit the auction on the following day and were allowed to bid on other vehicles, although they did not make deposits for the vehicles which were won by them the day before.

"This is despite the fact that the Jamaica Customs Department's rules indicate that payments should be made within the specified period to avoid being banned," said Christie.

"The auction process was unfair, irregular and improper, as midstream... the rules of the auctions were changed in favour of the representatives of the JCF and, as such, other bidders would have been placed at a disadvantage," Christie said.

However, the Customs Department, in a press release yesterday, said:

* The report has shown that no irregularity has resulted in loss of revenue to the Government of Jamaica.

* The auction was observed by representatives from the Asset Management Unit of the Ministry of Finance and members of the Customs Department's Internal Audit Unit.

* Eight auctions have been held since the one in question and no account of irregularities has been reported.

* The 10 per cent deposits were waived because the bidders were acting on behalf of a Government department to secure vehicles for the JCF.

* The actions of the commissioner of customs were done to ensure that the JCF received the vehicles at a fair cost.

* The commissioner of customs acknowledges that although some procedural inconsistencies arose from allowing a Government agency to avoid paying the deposit, the overall procedures were in accordance with the rules.

Christie, in the meantime, has turned over a copy of the report to Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne.

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COMMENTS (10)

george watson
3/20/2010

No Mrs. Williams, these vehicles are not being sold to the police department but to individual members of the police force. At least that is my take on it, from reading the article. I think Mrs. Williams got this one wrong as she criticized the OCG for his insistence on the proper channels being followed in the disposal of these vehicles.
I got awake last night and was trying to find some talk to listen to and came upon Mrs. Williams sitting in for Mutty Perkins. I was about to turn the dial when I thought I would just listen for a minute or two to the JLP propaganda. Imagine my surprise to see how fair the lady was.
Of course listening to her you could tell her JLP bias, but if anybody has read me in these columns they will be aware of my PNP bias. I think most of us are disingenuous when we say we don’t have biases.
What pleasantly surprised me was how the lady was able to deal with the issues and criticize where it was due and praise where it was due. She did not try to gild the lily.
I don’t know how I got the idea that she was a rabid in-your-face, no matter what supporter, but I came away with NEW RESPECT FOR THE LADY, AND I REALLY MEAN LADY. If only we had more like her on both sides.

www.discount-iphone.com Blackberry
3/20/2010

corruption is almost part of the culture in Jamaica

W Swaby
3/19/2010

Mr Christie you are doing a superb job. However you know that most of those people are corrupt, and believe in looking out for themselves, and accepting bribes. I know it just make your work harder but please continue to do the good work you are doing.

G W
3/19/2010

Someone please help me!! what part of the Contractor-General's Act does Christie get his standing in this issue? Is an auction a "government contract" or "prescribed licence" as defined by the Contractor-General's Act - the ONLY source of christie's authority. What "government contract" was awarded and implementated? What "prescribed licence" was granted, issued, suspended or revocked? Help me please!!!

T G
3/19/2010

Police give forward the vehicles.! The process was unfair.
The JLP leadership is inept and make so many mistakes it not funny. It very clear what took place.

Stephen Gunter
3/19/2010

Since when does the JCF buy vehicles at a public auction? Aren't JCF vehicles purchased new, through dealerships, using the proper channels via the Ministry, with duty waivers etc? Are we to understand that our JCF members are now driving around in previously abandoned vehicles, of unknown origin and specification?

mike willy
3/19/2010

Paul Lewis
3/19/2010

Wow, I am surprised . The only thing that there will never be any bias or favouritism is , volunteering for hard work . We continue with the notion that any process within Jamaica is ever fair .

Hope Alive
3/19/2010

I note that Mr. Christie said, "favouritism to members of the police force" and not the Jamaica Constabulary Force itself. Were these people acting on behalf of the Jamaica Constabulary Force?

JA Cynic
3/19/2010

Are the vehicles in the possession of the Ministry of National Security or the JCF?
Have they all been accounted for & being used by and for as officially intended?
Did the "procedural inconsistencies" lead to any personal benefits to the individuals involved?
Did the "irregularities" identified result solely to the benefit of the JCF or was there any loss of revenue to the GOJ?
JA Cynic

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Christie cites improper conduct, irregularity at Customs auction