Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health who is also the Chairperson of Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital Management Committee to cancel Tsebo Health Solutions contract until the Auditor General proves it was fairly awarded.
This was emphasised by PAC Chairperson Mrs. Machabana Lemphane Letsie during the Committee’s meeting with Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital in Maseru on Tuesday, following reports that the above-mentioned company was awarded a tender to run the private ward, including coffee shop and pharmacy yet it did not tender for the project.
Mrs. Lemphane Letsie said they requested the Office of the Auditor General to audit the tender awarded and specify if it was correctly awarded as the committee believes it was unfairly awarded.
She also said it was inappropriate for the PS to say the Minister ordered her not to cancel the contract on grounds that it already has legal implications.
“I advise you to cancel the contract before it is implemented to avoid consequences” she said, reminding her that legal opinions for government Ministries should be from the Attorney General.
On the other hand, the PS said the Minister ordered her not to cancel the company’s contract or comment on this matter before the committee, saying she believes the Minister is the one who was supposed to answer.
However, the committee reminded her she is the chief accounting officer and must understand her responsibilities.
Meanwhile it was reported that at least eight companies tendered for the project but none of them was awarded a tender.
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