By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
URBAN Renewal’s Small Home Repairs project was yesterday declared a “resounding success” after an independent review concluded the initiative’s first phase had received value for money, directly contradicting findings in an auditor general’s report.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works Philip “Brave” Davis tabled the technical evaluation report commissioned on phase one of the programme’s Small Home Repairs component – a copy of which was obtained by The Tribune – in Parliament yesterday.
The technical report disputes Auditor General Terrence Bastian’s findings that 12 homes in the project were incomplete, and that value for money could not be determined.
It revealed that only two of the 12 homes identified did not receive value for money; however, the report did not make a determination on three of those homes because there was no opportunity to conduct an inspection in two homes, and one home was still unfinished.
In one instance, it was revealed that auditors assessed the wrong home in Englerston, incorrectly stating that the $30,000 contract was not executed when in fact the home was completely rebuilt with full value for money achieved.
“Yes, the technical team identified some failings,” Mr Davis said, “however, the findings are substantially different from those previously cited.”
“It is very important to rest any erroneous information that may have been provided to the public as a result of the ‘leak’ of the auditor general’s draft report,” he added.
The ministry’s report concluded that the project was a “work in progress” with approximately 90 per cent of the initial scope of repair works completed, adding that phase one of the project operated “above average given the intended purpose and its initial programme methodology.”
It explained that the programme would improve tremendously if recommendations outlined in the report were implemented, such as the strict enforcement of proper construction supervision during repair works.
The report was conducted by technical firms Island Dimensions & Development Co Ltd and J D Chisholm & Associates, and had a sample size of 80 homes or 25 per cent of the 312 homes repaired during the project’s initial phase.
The technical team established a four-point grading scale for works: poor, incomplete with no value for money; average, scope of works is complete with standard quality of work and value for money; good, scope of works completed with quality of workmanship above average; and excellent, initial scope of works and financial commitment was exceeded with excellent quality of workmanship.
Pointing out that the technical team graded the majority of repairs sampled as “average to good”, Mr Davis said officials were examining areas of under performance with the view to having issues remedied at no further cost to the government.
The sampling took into consideration percentages of repairs in each constituency to ensure that the integrity of the results could be successfully tested.
The report explained that the initial scope of work was not inclusive of all the work needed to restore full functionality to the homes given the amount of funds allocated for each home, and the project’s mandate to address only the most urgent requirements.
Issues
The independent report tabled yesterday speaks only to the technical issues raised in the auditor general’s report, and does not address other concerns raised by Mr Bastian, such as the revelation that contracts worth more than $10,000 were issued to contractors without proof of ministerial approval.
Mr Bastian’s audit covers the period of July 1, 2012 to September 30, 2014, and surveyed a sample of 75 homes. Mr Davis noted that the audit’s main critique stemmed from the programme’s departure from normal audit procedures of the government.
“This ambitious undertaking is the brainchild of the architect of Urban Renewal,” he said, “whose experience over time recognised that the current system, purposely designed, operates too slowly – bureaucratic inertia.
That is why, by executive decision, Urban Renewal has been set apart to meet its mandate with a sense of urgency and, when necessary, immediacy. This immediate response to the challenges of the poor, the disfranchised, the unemployed, parents with at-risk youth and children, and the elderly cannot be achieved within the trappings of our bureaucracy.”
Mr Davis said the government was actively working on the audit’s recommendation that an independent statutory body be created to oversee the programme.
He explained that he commissioned the independent report because he was “troubled” by the audit, adding that special attention was given to those homes which Mr Bastian’s report determined had little or no work.
In an interview with The Tribune last week, Mr Bastian said the government’s decision to challenge his department’s report into Urban Renewal with an independent review was surprising and unprecedented.
However, yesterday Mr Davis explained that the original audit was conducted by accountants, and its findings should be tested by experts in the field of construction.
He highlighted the dispute over repairs conducted by contractor Omar Thompson, who defended his work on a Montagu home and accused Mr Bastian of potentially slandering his name.
The ministry’s report determined that Mr Thompson’s workmanship was of good quality, and that the scope of work was complete, satisfying the contract.
That report also noted that seven of the 12 homes identified did not have a completed scope of works on file, and in these instances, estimates from the contractor were used to conduct the assessments. Another seven homes did not have an inspector listed on file. The proper management of documents was among the recommendations outlined in the audit report.
Yesterday, Mr Davis said that there was nothing in the auditor general’s report that changed the government’s mandate to invest in Bahamians through Urban Renewal 2.0 and its Small Homes Repair programme, adding that “nothing on earth is perfect”.
He underscored that the hiring of ex-offenders to assist with repairs encourages them to continue to seek gainful employment and thus abstain from criminal activities.
Given discrepancies highlighted by the ministry’s report, Mr Davis suggested that Public Accounts Committee Chairman Hubert Chipman may wish to interview Mr Bastian over the veracity of some of the findings in his report.
Mr Davis went on to defend the government’s continued investment in the programme citing the impact it has had on poor communities.
Comments
sheeprunner12 8 years, 9 months ago
Brave is a wrecking ball to the Westminster system of government ............ he is dangerous
John 8 years, 9 months ago
If I hire you and I pay you then I will tell you what to write. Any questions?
PKMShack 8 years, 9 months ago
And their supporters will still vote PLP no matter what. Got to love em, is it crystal clear yet?
Economist 8 years, 9 months ago
One did an 'audit', the other did something else. I can build something that may be technically fine but financially disastrous.
asiseeit 8 years, 9 months ago
Yep, our Judicial is independent of our executive as well. What a farce!
TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago
“Urban Renewal Project was yesterday declared a “resounding success” after an independent review concluded the initiative’s first phase had received value for money, directly contradicting findings in an auditor general’s report. – DPM “Brave”-
Comrades, let’s rewind to July 21, 2015, when Minister Obadiah said, “despite the government having gone over budget to end up costing the government (taxpayers) 12 million dollars, for the PLP Cabinet pull off Carnival 2015, it is still going to get a return on investment.” (Laughing).
In fact, Obadiah didn’t stop there cuz he also said that, “he believes Carnival 2015 injected more than 50 million dollars into the local economy.” (Laughing).
Is it just I but could both statements by DPM “Brave” and Carnival 2015’s Obadiah, read likes they could have been penned under fantasy mindset same PLP Cabinet's author? (That's funny.)
Comrades one day you will believe me, when I says, this stuff could never be made up. (Not so funny when - Its da truth).
themessenger 8 years, 9 months ago
With the co chairs now falling all over themselves in their enthusiasm to give us the real story, Mr. Chipman & Co might as well fore go the PAC meeting and save the taxpayers some money as that already spent on the Auditor Generals report was clearly wasted.
GrassRoot 8 years, 9 months ago
time for a new hat.
TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago
Comrade I say Chippie & Co, should do what some us remember the time former Traffic Policeman's Inspector, MP and co-leader Abaco Independence Movement's, good ole' Errington ˚Bumpy˚ Watkins, flew off Motherland England to seek an audience with da Queen, and instead meeting with Her Majesty, Bumpy actually chained himself to the iron security gates in front of still we Queen Liz's Buckingham Palace. Now that's what I'd call -civil protest conducting long-distance, right under nose Her Majesty.
Yep I swear, Bumpty padlocked he foots, right to da Queen's security gate.
by TalRussell
SP 8 years, 9 months ago
.................... Who Do YOU Trust Most....Crook, Failure Or Jackass? .....................
Sickened 8 years, 9 months ago
Sorry, what did 'Booger' say... I wasn't paying attention!
themessenger 8 years, 9 months ago
Ya know what Tal, if Bumpy had been successful in seceding and we had Grabaco to immigrate too I'd have been long gone muh bey.
TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago
Comrade, although it might have been better than today's local Abacoians finding themselves being out-populated by others amongst them, many here illegally too. Is there any wonder that so many no longer feel they's at home.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago
"Grabaco". LOL.
In_search_of_truth 8 years, 9 months ago
This is like holding up the one finger in church when ya walking out, thinking that one finger hiding you but erry body seeing you leave. I mean man, they talk and you just is hear they lying through they Parliament teeth. I wonder if it was when you get elected to public office, erry time you lying to the people, ya words is come out with green smoke, I wonder how that would fair? Yup green smoke all day erry day!
TheMadHatter 8 years, 9 months ago
child - I need oxygen. LOL
GrassRoot 8 years, 9 months ago
good to have you back.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago
Sigh...just enough time to clean up all the mess. I'm surprised the number of buildings in compliance wasn't greater. This reminds me of Sadam Hussein wildly slashing his sword in the air proclaiming that he'd won 100% of the election vote! Impressive!!
This government is a complete disgrace. Next time Mr Auditor General, take pictures, and store them in an undisclosed location
Any news on BAMSI? Have you found out whether the ALL of the remaining13 contractors were insured at the time of the fire?
GrassRoot 8 years, 9 months ago
I heard BAMSI will win next years Nobel Price for inventing a plant that does not need anything and does not produce anything.
TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago
Comrades, whilst I am not for it being an option, if the people of any one of islands have the best shot at making it on they’s own, I’d bet on the Abacoians pulling it off. But in meantime, it would be sweet see them on the TV, all the man's, woman's boy's and girls. proudly wearing their Comrade Nationalists Berets.
Quick, somebody send messenger up da stairs House of Assembly to wakes-up Marsh Harbour’s Edison, that his Abacoians - got’s a Comrade Beret waiting him wear whenever House be in session.
Unfortunately, Abacoians might not think there is still enough left of "Abaco The Good" worthy of waking up ole Edison for. Just maybe, now Edison will have a reason to leave da House and go home his family.
You thinks Edition even knows, the FNM held their Party's convention and reelected Minnis and Loretta - gone as DPL?
by TalRussell
GrassRoot 8 years, 9 months ago
Dear fellow Bahamians, it seems we have a serious problem at hand. As you are all well aware in situations where our national sovereignty needs defending we have SOP in place ("P" not "B", it means - Standard Operating Procedures) that kick in: 1. Our beloved leader PGC will step in as the lead Mediator. 2. We order yet another report. 3. If the report does not help, we ask the Chinese Oracle for guidance. 4. If all fails the AG and Minion Gomez will file a winding up petition with our kangaroo court.
realfreethinker 8 years, 8 months ago
How the hell do you accept a "report'" over an "audit". That is a real stretch. That weasel bwave. He is going to hell if only for half an hour,even if he repents.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 8 months ago
Brave is the obeah man-in-chief ...................... he is dangerous. Almost every scandal in the PLP government (2002-7 and now) can be traced right back to this crooked, scheming, drug king-pin lover, man ............... get him out of Parliament!!!!!!!!!!!!
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