Competition uniforms and other required clothing for the country’s Commonwealth Games 2018 contingent to Gold Coast in Australia next month have become mired in a controversy after officials clamoured over its purchase processes.
It was reported the Home Affairs Ministry is reluctant to purchase the sets of competition uniforms, ceremonial wear and general team outfit as the invoice for the garments showed that the number of uniforms ordered have so far surpassed the number of actual athletes and officials attending the Games.
An invoice issued to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the uniforms and other required garments, and sighted by Solomon Star, is seeking the purchase of 50 sets of the competition uniforms as well as 50 sets of ceremonial wear and general team wear as opposed to only 19 athletes and coaches who will be attending the games.
The invoice for the garments was addressed to the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs, George Palua, dated 6th March 2018.
The invoice is said to have been forwarded to the Ministry by the Commonwealth Games Association of Solomon Islands (CGACSI) President Martin Rara.
The total amount in the invoice for all the 50 uniforms and associated wears totalled SBD$679, 925.00, an amount that normally would be purchased through a competitive tender process through the Central Tender Board of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.
Mr Rara is also the President for NOCSI, and the President of the Pacific Games Association of Solomon Islands (PGASI).
The invoice specifications, that makes up the total cost of SBD$679, 925.00 were;
- Ceremonial wear (Commonwealth Games 2018) =SBD$363,350.00
50pcs x official suit, 50pcs x tracksuits, 50pcs x polo shirts, 50pcs x formal shoes, 50pcs x mens neck tie, 50pcs x ladies scarfs, 50pcs x SI flag, 50pcs x long sleeve shirt)
- General team wear (Commonwealth Games 2018) = SBD$103,050.00
50pcs x round neck tees, 50pcs x sandals, 50pcs x long sleeve shirt
- Competition uniforms (Commonwealth Games 2018) =SBD$213,525.00
50pcs x jogging shoes, 50pcs x back pack, 50pcs x luggage bag, 50pcs x water bottle.
The Solomon Star was informed that the Home Affairs Ministry has refused to meet the total costs of the uniforms, as it is very costly. Additionally, there is the inconsistency in the actual number of athletes and officials to the number actually going.
A source who is familiar with the government’s procurement process, explained that such request should be channeled through a Government Tender Process.
“There is no tender process followed, which is a total breach of the procurement procedure to seeking government funding,” the source said.
“Only procurement of more than SBD$10,000 and less than SBD$500,000 are required to be approved by a Ministerial Tender Board (MTB).
“Such procurement that CGASI requested through Rara, which is in excess of SBD$500,000 must be approved by the Central Tender Board (CTB),” the source explained.
It was not immediately established whether the sporting body has knowingly intend on by-passing government payment process in their bid to procure the said uniforms.
The source said, Mr Rara is a public servant and he should be familiar with the whole government payment processes.
“Mr Rara is the Provincial Sports Development Officer within the Sports Division, of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
“The process of submission for the uniform bid looks fishy,” the source said.
However, The Ministry of Home Affairs had advised CGASI President Martin Rara to provide three written quotes from three different suppliers following his initial one invoice submission.
The Ministry is also questioning why the numbers of uniform pieces totaled up to 50, when the actual contingent is only 29 person, 14 athletes and 15 officials.
“Even if there are government officials traveling as part of the contingent, the total should be a little above 30.
“Furthermore, the competition uniforms should not be totaled to 50, as the total number of athletes (14) and their coaches (5) is only 19.”
Meanwhile, an email sent to the local supplier last Thursday, inquiring about the availability of the uniforms to ascertain if payments were made was not answered.
However, an insider has confirmed the arrival of the uniforms, and is awaiting payment, before delivery.
Last Thursday, this paper sent two separate emails to the MHA Permanent Secretary (PS) and Mr Rara inquiring about this matter, but there were no replies.
Comments are being sought from them.
By RONALD TOITO’ONA
