Government has refuted a television news story which alleged an employee was in receipt of a contract for trucking services without it going out to tender.

The ZBM news broadcast claimed SGS General Trucking part-owned by a Ministry of Works and Engineering employee, received $730,000 from Government between 1996-2006.

But a Government spokesman said last night: "The Ministry of Works and Engineering swiftly moved to clear up any misconceptions that may have arisen out of a recently broadcasted media story regarding the awarding of contracts for services within the Solid Waste Section.

"The Ministry of Works and Engineering can confirm that it has engaged the services of SGS General Trucking over a number of years for the transporting of solid waste products.

"While it has been alleged that payments have been made over a ten-year period to this company, whose ownership includes an employee of the Solid Waste Section, the Ministry emphatically states that in no situation has the employee ever enlisted the services of his own business.

"Further, specific Waste Management Officers have authority to hire trucking services and this employee has never been given that authority.

"Additionally, the Ministry ensures that for any contract services required by the Solid Waste Section, the work is distributed on the basis of sole source, three quotations and tender, depending on the value of the work and in accordance with Financial Instructions."

The spokesman said the Ministry "hires contractors on a regular basis for various projects".

"The need for outside contractors arises when in-house resources have been exhausted," he said.

"The Ministry of Works and Engineering nurtures its relationship with the private contracting businesses, and one very important facet of this relationship is to ensure that work is farmed out fairly and equitably.

"The Ministry is satisfied that no impropriety has occurred in the hiring of SGS General Trucking."