- Joined
- Apr 9, 2009
- Messages
- 3,070
- Points
- 0
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reported to Parliament that there was no fraud, collusion or corruption involving Singapore Police Force (SPF) officers with regards to a lapse in contract management that involved the suspected falsification of documents by the contractor.
The SPF had paid a contractor $48,950 for the calibration of equipment to be done overseas by the equipment manufacturer from 2008 to 2009.
The Auditor-General's Office (AGO) had found tell-tale signs on the certificates of calibration indicating that the certificates were not issued by the overseas manufacturer.
Checks by AGO confirmed that the equipment was never sent overseas for calibration.
Following AGO’s observation, SPF commenced an investigation on the suspected falsification of documents by the contractor.
The committee also noted from AGO’s report that SPF did not impose liquidated damages (estimated at $242,000 for the period 2008 to 2009) on this contractor and another contractor for failing to deliver services in accordance with the maintenance contracts.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the committee that investigations revealed that there was no fraud, collusion or corruption involving its officers.
The contractor was charged in court for forgery and cheating and the case has yet to be concluded.
MHA said that SPF is working to finalise the liquidated damage amount.
SPF has since imposed liquidated damage amounting to $98,668 in December 2010 and is seeking legal advice on other possible liquidated damage claims.
MHA has put in steps to be taken to tighten its internal controls and procedures such as SPF revising its procurement checklist to incorporate more comprehensive checks at the tender evaluation stage.
For existing contracts, SPF will ensure that controls and procedures are in place to check that work carried out by contractors are in accordance with contract requirements and that payments are made only for work that has been completed satisfactorily.
SPF will conduct regular briefings and training on procurement.
MHA’s internal audit unit will continue to conduct regular procurement audits on SPF departments.
The SPF had paid a contractor $48,950 for the calibration of equipment to be done overseas by the equipment manufacturer from 2008 to 2009.
The Auditor-General's Office (AGO) had found tell-tale signs on the certificates of calibration indicating that the certificates were not issued by the overseas manufacturer.
Checks by AGO confirmed that the equipment was never sent overseas for calibration.
Following AGO’s observation, SPF commenced an investigation on the suspected falsification of documents by the contractor.
The committee also noted from AGO’s report that SPF did not impose liquidated damages (estimated at $242,000 for the period 2008 to 2009) on this contractor and another contractor for failing to deliver services in accordance with the maintenance contracts.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the committee that investigations revealed that there was no fraud, collusion or corruption involving its officers.
The contractor was charged in court for forgery and cheating and the case has yet to be concluded.
MHA said that SPF is working to finalise the liquidated damage amount.
SPF has since imposed liquidated damage amounting to $98,668 in December 2010 and is seeking legal advice on other possible liquidated damage claims.
MHA has put in steps to be taken to tighten its internal controls and procedures such as SPF revising its procurement checklist to incorporate more comprehensive checks at the tender evaluation stage.
For existing contracts, SPF will ensure that controls and procedures are in place to check that work carried out by contractors are in accordance with contract requirements and that payments are made only for work that has been completed satisfactorily.
SPF will conduct regular briefings and training on procurement.
MHA’s internal audit unit will continue to conduct regular procurement audits on SPF departments.
