The Manitoba government has appointed Umendra Mital, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., as an independent advisor to review the acquisition of flood-fighting equipment and security services.

“As an independent advisor, Mr. Mital will help our government, and Manitobans, develop a good understanding of the issues and actions taken since 2008 by the Manitoba government to fight floods and how our government can learn from them,” Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said. “The results of this review will help us determine what actions should be taken to better protect Manitobans in the case of natural disasters.”

The work of the independent advisor will include conducting an independent audit and review of government decisions and processes used for the acquisition and deployment of both flood-fighting infrastructure and equipment, as well as security services for events in fiscal years 2008-2009, 2010-2011, and 2014-2015. Based on these findings, Mital will advance recommendations for improving flood-fighting equipment procurement and deployment, as well as applicable policies and procedures. These recommendations will be used by the government to develop best practices in these areas, the minister noted.

In providing advice to the minister and government, Mital will:

  • ensure value for money for the expenditures incurred for flood-fighting equipment and security services,
  • determine the effectiveness and fit of the equipment and services acquired to respond to flood events in the target years, and
  • provide independent advice as to whether the findings warrant additional investigation by other authorities.

Mital has an extensive history in the fields of government and engineering, and is a registered professional engineer with a masters of applied science in mechanical engineering. Mital first served as director of engineering and construction, later appointed assistant deputy minister, and finally appointed as deputy minister in the former Department of Natural Resources for the government of Manitoba. Mital has also served as the city manager of the City of Surrey, B.C., and presently serves as executive vice-president and general manager of Ebco Industries and Advanced Cyclotron Systems Inc.

The work of the independent advisor will be supported by independent auditors and subject matter experts, both within and outside of Manitoba, the minister added.