Deosaran slams corruption at VMCOTT

Deosaran spoke out against what he described as rampant corruption existing at the VMCOTT headquarters in Sea Lots, and called for an immediate probe into the company’s affairs.

In quoting from a confidential VMCOTT report during the second part of his presentation in the Upper House, Deosaran said the report exposes wastage and scandalous abuse of crime fighting equipment.

He said to change a tyre at VMCOTT costs $500, while to wash a vehicle at VMCOTT also costs $500.

Deosaran said VMCOTT has not produced a budget since its inception. "This is automatic pilot corruption, and the entire board at VMVOTT must resign," said Deosaran.

Board A directors at VMCOTT receive a salary of $2,400 per month plus a travelling allowance of $400.

The company was established in 2001 under the UNC administration due to the intervention of Jearlean John, who was the minister of works at the time.

The Police Service had more than 600 vehicles in dire need of repair, with only 200 vehicles functioning.

The fleet manager in the Police Service had complained that nothing could be done since parts to fix vehicles were slow in coming, leading to police vehicles being parked at the barracks without being repaired.

VMCOTT was established to repair all Government vehicles, and the company’s chief executive officer Jerry Selby had boasted that the company was functioning well, despite being owed large sums of money by the State.

Earlier this year, VMCOTT had complained that the Ministry of National Security owed the company large sums of money, and a decision was taken to halt the repair and maintenance of all police vehicles.

The Ministry of National Security intervened and the matter was resolved. The operations at VMCOTT at the Beetham Estate continued up to yesterday.