Panama audits $28.4 million Meduca laptop procurement

Panama’s Comptroller General, Anel Flores, announced that an audit regarding the Ministry of Education’s (Meduca) purchase of 54,000 laptops for teachers is expected to be completed within approximately six weeks.

The investigation follows the resignation of former Education Minister Lucy Molinar, who stated she chose to “step aside” to allow for a thorough clarification of the procurement process. The contract, valued at $28.48 million with IS Group, SA, involves the acquisition of LIBY model N18-14C laptops at an approximate cost of $527 per unit, including tax.

Auditors are currently reviewing the bidding documents, the purchase process, and the previous endorsement. The Comptroller warned that if any elements with “criminal character” are discovered during the audit, the findings will be referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Additionally, Flores announced new investigations into Naturgy and Cable & Wireless, while also criticizing what he described as unequal judicial treatment for high-profile individuals in ongoing investigations.