April 5, 2013 ERA – Press Release

The Board of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has been informed that the former Managing Director  of  the  ERA,  Joseph  F.  Ebanks  has  repeatedly  stated  since  his  suspension  by  the Governor in Cabinet on the recommendation of the Board that there have been irregularities with the 36 MW bid process.

The 36 MW bid was awarded by the Board to DECCO on the 9th February 2013 on the recommendation and with the full support of the former Managing Director as well as the entire ERA team.

Up to the date of the notification of his suspension to him on the 2nd March 2013, the former Managing Director had not notified the Chairman or the Board that he was concerned that the bid process was flawed or that there had been any irregularities either before or following the award of the bid.

The former Managing Director as stated in our previous press release was suspended on full pay on the advice of the Board because it had been reported to the Board by the Auditor General that his audit of the ERA uncovered serious financial irregularities involving the former Managing Director that continue to be the subject of a police investigation that the Board cannot comment on.

Due to the former Managing Director accusations published to amongst others, members of the press and at least two of the bidders, the ERA has determined that it has a duty to the bidders and the general public to cause an investigation to be undertaken on the 36 MW bid process by an unrelated qualified party that is presently being identified.

The former Managing Director has been notified of this decision and asked to cooperate fully with the investigation and the Board sincerely hopes that he will take this opportunity to fully disclose any concerns he has with the process.

In the event that it is confirmed to the Board that the bid process was open and transparent and there were no irregularities, the Board will take whatever actions necessary to recover the costs and expenditure of public funds on this investigation.  In the event that irregularities are found they will be reported to the appropriate authorities.