PAC demands answers on storage fees

Members of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC), this morning reprimanded the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for its negligence in allowing storage fees for three vehicles to accumulate to $700,000.



The fees were accumulated over a three year period.



The PAC was told that NEPA sent three motor vehicles in 2003 to a Japanese Car Specialists for repairs and a diagnosis was made.



However, the motor vehicles remained at the garage for three years without any repairs being done.



The Japanese Car Specialists had charged NEPA more than a million dollars for storage but after negotiations a settlement of $700,000 was reached.



Committee members demanded answers on why NEPA allowed the vehicles to remain in storage for such an extended period resulting in significant costs to the company.



Chief Executive Officer of NEPA Dr. Jeremiah Myers came under fire from PAC members.



In his defense, Dr. Myers said the transaction occurred before he started working with the agency but acknowledged that he was in charge when the settlement was made in October 2006.



PAC member Dr. Maurice Guy said the agency should return to the next meeting with documents outlining the transaction between NEPA and the Japanese Car Specialists.