CONAPE vehicle procurement suspended amid audit findings

The General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGCP) has suspended a tender by the National Council for the Elderly (CONAPE) to purchase a fleet of vehicles, including five high-end SUVs, valued at approximately RD$45.5 million. The suspension follows an investigative report by N Investiga regarding the institution's resource management.

This action coincides with an audit report from the Comptroller General of the Republic, which identified over RD$162 million in disbursements made during the administration of former director José García Ramírez between September 2020 and December 2024 that lacked required supporting documentation, such as certifications from the State Suppliers Registry and the Tax Administration.

In response, García Ramírez has expressed his willingness to cooperate with authorities to clarify the matter. He defended the legality of the expenditures, stating they were necessary for the institution's operational needs and programs aimed at improving the quality of life for the elderly, noting that all payments are subject to oversight by the Comptroller General.