Why Special Effects Tires are the Best for Ministry of Works

Anthony “Boots” Martinez

The 2012-13 general audit conducted by the Supreme Audit Institution listed numerous instances of mismanagement and improper practice in several ministries of government, most notably Works and Education. Under the tenure of Anthony “Boots” Martinez, a total of nine hundred and forty-seven thousand dollars was expended to Special Effects and Special Effects Performance for tires, but eight hundred and thirty thousand plus dollars or eighty-seven percent of the tires were never taken on inventory charge at the Ministry of Works. All told the Government lost more than a million dollars in four years of business with the Belmopan agency, having spent as much as one point seven million dollars of the five point six million dollar budget for materials and supplies. Chief Engineer Lennox Bradley told auditors that despite the higher prices, the company made special accommodations for the ministry’s purchases when it did not have funds, allowing as much as a two-year wait for payment and no purchase orders. We questioned Martinez on it today and he said he was told by Bradley that the higher prices were also due to perceived better quality of the tires bought.

Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Former Minister of Works

“Immediately, I checked with the Chief Engineer, Lennox Bradley, at the time. And Lennox Bradley explained to me – the reason is because the tires that they were buying for the trucks at the Ministry of Works – dehn mi di bust up quick. These tires are of better quality and they last longer. That was the reason. In my view, what the Audit report never pointed out too: I see there is a paragraph in there which said they checked with the competitors and the competitors’ [prices] were lower. But what [was] never mentioned was what brand they checked the competitors for; all a we could sell tire. Now if you say I checked all the competitors for Goodyear tires, and the same specifications… I don’t know if that was explained to them, but that was the only incident that I know about.”

Aaron Humes

“So it was the particular tire that the Ministry prefers is of better quality and lasts longer but costs more?”

Anthony “Boots” Martinez

“Yes.”

Aaron Humes

“But you wouldn’t remember which specific tire brand…”

Anthony “Boots” Martinez

“I noh remember.”

The audit is currently before the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, chaired by the P.U.P.’s Julius Espat.