Excessive use of private printing companies by Health Ministry in 2007 under scrutiny

Questions were raised on the excessive engagement of private printing companies by the Health Ministry in 2007.

Government Member on the Public Accounts Committee, Balmindar Singh raised the question during the committee meeting and whether proper processes were followed.

An official of the Auditor General’s Office informed the committee that during their audit they noted that 17 printing companies were engaged by the Ministry of Health in 2007 and $1.28 million was paid out.

He said this is just sample based, however it could have been more than 17 companies.

According to the Deputy Auditor General, Atunaisa Nadakuitavuki his concern was that no consultation was held with the government printers by the Ministry of Health before going to the market.

Ministry of Health Deputy Secretary Finance, Marika Luveniyali informed the committee that securing the services of the printing companies is always done through a tender process.

Luveniyali assured the members of the committee that the Ministry does engage Government Printery adding that they recently used government printers to print their diaries.

Committee Chairman, Biman Prasad has asked the Ministry of Health to provide a report on the printing done by them in the last four years and how much printing was done by Government Printery and private printers.