โ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก & ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ก๐ข๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐กโ๐๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐บ๐ผ๐) ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ โ
The Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) has issued an ultimatum to the Isabel Provincial Government (IPG), demanding a formal response to a series of serious allegations by Friday, March 27, 2026.
In a letter dated March 19, 2026, Minister for MPGIS, Rolland Seleso, called on the Premier of Isabel Province to address concerns raised in the 2021/22 Audit Report, as well as allegations of executive interference in procurement processes and other related issues.
He said the concerns were initially communicated by the Permanent Secretary of MPGIS in
correspondence dated February 22, 2026, but to date, no formal response has been received from the provincial authority.
โThat correspondence outlined serious issues arising from the 2021/22 Audit Report and raised allegations of executive interference in the provincial procurement processes,โ Seleso said.
He said the assessment team and the Provincial Assemblyโs Public Accounts Committee (PAC) indicate that the issues remain unresolved and may have worsened.
Serious Allegations Raised
Among the key allegations outlined in the letter is the alleged involvement of the provincial
executive in the tender process.
Reports claim the executive directed the Finance Division to process payments totaling SBD2.2 million to Sonic Phase SI, despite the Tender Evaluation Committee recommending another company, PAC Pacific.
It is further alleged that Sonic Phase SI did not submit a tender during the procurement process.
The letter also highlights breaches of provincial procurement regulations and conflict of interest concerns.
It is alleged that the executive overruled the Tender Evaluation Committee and awarded contracts to Members of the Provincial Assembly, including the Kolpakesa Hall Rest
House project valued at SBD564,242, along with two other ongoing contracts.
Purchasing of machines and awarding of contracts with spending of SBD3,664,617.
Additional allegations include the withholding of critical financial information required for PAC deliberations due to pressure from the Premierโs office, as well as creating fear within the provincial workforce through threats of termination.
Possible Consequences
Seleso said the allegations point to possible breaches of procurement regulations, standing orders, and raise serious concerns about conflict of interest within the provincial executive.
He said the irregularities could result in Isabel Province being disqualified from Provincial
Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) support, potentially leading to losses exceeding SBD6
million.
Seleso said a comprehensive explanation is required as to why members of the provincial
executive should not be held personally liable for funds linked to machinery purchases and
contract awards made in breach of procurement procedures.
He said the final determination of financial losses will be made following a Joint Oversight
Committee meeting scheduled for April 2026.
โPlease note that, should I not receive a satisfactory response within the next two weeks, the Ministry will proceed with the necessary recovery actions, including payroll deductions, as permitted under applicable regulations,โ Seleso warned.
He also said failure to address the issues could result in significant consequences for the
province, including the potential loss of more than twelve key development projects.
Seleso cautioned that continued non-compliance may force the ministry to take additional steps, including launching a special investigation and making a submission to Cabinet for possible dissolution of the Provincial Executive.
โFailure to provide satisfactory clarification may compel the MPGIS to consider additional
measures, including a special investigation and a submission to Cabinet regarding possible
dissolution of the Provincial Executive, should it be deemed that the Executive is no longer
acting in the best interests of the people of Isabel Province,โ he said.
The Isabel Provincial Government is expected to respond before the March 27 deadline.
