By Claude Mills, Staff ReporterDEAN SMITH, former vice-president in charge of Management Information Systems at the National Health Fund, has been sacked by that agency for "breach of contract" after it was discovered that he had two full-time contracts for similar working times at two government agencies.
"It was discovered by the Auditor-General last week that Mr. Smith had two full-time contracts for both the NHF and the Electoral Office of Jamaica," Rosemarie Lee, public relations officer of the NHF, said.
"Rae Barrett, the NHF's chief executive officer, learned of it on Monday afternoon, and Mr. Smith's contract was terminated effective yesterday (October 7)," she said.
Neville Stewart, who was previously employed by the NHF in that position but whose contract ended in August this year, has been asked to return to assume those duties until things are sorted, Ms. Lee said.
Mr. Smith had a $3-million three-year contract with the Ministry of Health's newly formed NHF valued at over $3 million, sources said.
The Gleaner was able to obtain a copy of a government contract which has a clause which states: "You shall not either directly engage or concern in trade or private professional practice but devote the whole of your time and attention to the service of the government and shall use your utmost exertion to promote the interest of your government."
AWAITING A-G'S ADVICE
Ms. Lee said: "We now await the advice of the Auditor-General before we make any other move."
Danville Walker, the Director of Elections, accepted some culpability for what he called "an innocuous mix-up" which led to the termination of Mr. Smith's contract with the NHF.
"I blame myself partly for what happened, I should have looked more closely at the wording of the contract," he said.
"Because of his expertise, Mr. Smith was employed to us on a part-time basis as a consultant at a rate of half of what he was previously being paid. However, it was incorrectly drafted in his contract that he was employed to us on a full-time basis, and that's where the confusion occurred," Mr. Walker said.
PREVIOUSLY EMPLOYED AT THE EOJ
Mr. Smith, described by Mr. Walker as the "No. 1 person in Jamaica with biometrics experience and fingerprint analysis" was previously employed at the EOJ as assistant director for information services.
"He's a good guy, he is welcome at the EOJ anytime because he saved this country at least US$1.5 million by saving us from having to employ an overseas contractor to rewrite and oversee the modernisation of the system we have here. This is a man who is valuable to the public sector," Mr. Walker said.
In his defence, Mr. Smith proclaimed his innocence.
"It is an unfortunate situation because the EOJ contract was not formulated how it was intended, but both parties knew of my intention to provide service to both institutions. I had an oral agreement regarding the EOJ contract. I also have authorisation from the head of the National Health Fund with regard to an additional project because they knew I worked for other persons. I have done nothing wrong," Mr. Smith said.
