The Ministry of Youth cancelled contracting procedures after these were denounced by legal consultant Jose Manuel Vidal Tejeda. Vidal Tejeda denounced that the Youth Minister Luz del Alba Jimenez and her associates in the staff at the ministry were attempting to benefit from two companies (Gretmon and SketchProm) that were bidding RD$3 million for Ministry of Youth in electronic device purchases.
Vidal Tejeda denounced that Kelvin Méndez, husband of the minister, is the one who really manages the Purchasing Department of the institution, as reported in Listin Diario.
The legal consultant was subsequently dismissed “for convenience in the service,” in accordance with the provisions of Public Officers Law 41-08.
Luz del Alba Jimenez was named minister after the resignation on 7 December of Kimberly Taveras, who was under investigation by the Attorney General’s Office for allegations related to her personal wealth. Jimenez, a municipal political leader, was serving as deputy minister of Planning of the Ministry of Youth when she was appointed by decree 694-20.
“Regarding the procurement process by price comparison number MJ-CCC-CP-2021-0006, for the acquisition of technological equipment to be used in this institution, we inform that after the Purchasing Committee evidenced that the technical offers submitted by the bidders were not in accordance with the items, and the specific quantities established and requested in the technical sheet of the specifications, it proceeded to declare the process void on 21 October 2021,” the ministry note indicates.
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Listin Diario
12 November 2021