The Tribune

URBAN Renewal Co-Chair Algernon Allen yesterday said the programme has already started the process of attempting to recover funds from contractors who did not complete or produced unsatisfactory work for the Small Homes Repair initiative.

According to a report prepared by Auditor General Terrance Bastian, 11 contractors were paid more than $170,000 for work that was not completed or done in the Small Homes Repair programme.

When asked how Urban Renewal intended to recover funds from these contractors, Mr Allen said the government intended to take the matters to court.

Although he was tightlipped on the matter, he did say this process was already underway. He added that only a small number of contractors fell into this category.

At a press conference last week to respond to the findings of Mr Bastian’s report, Mr Allen and Co-Chair Cynthia “Mother” Pratt called the report “unfair”.

Mrs Pratt said she was “concerned” that Urban Renewal had now become a “political football” with poor people “caught in the middle”, and questioned whether Mr Bastian really cares about the poor or is more concerned with “nit-picking”.

Mr Allen blasted the auditor general for reportedly failing to consult the prime minister, minister of works, or any of the co-chairs prior to finalising the report.

The report, which was based on a study for the period July 1, 2012, to September 30, 2014, revealed that contracts for the repair of small homes in New Providence totalling $10,000 or more were issued to contractors without proof of ministerial approval.

The report also revealed that 11 contractors were paid $171,000 to conduct repairs, but upon on site inspections conducted by the auditor general, it was revealed that little to no work was done at all.

The report concluded by criticising the programme for its lack of “due diligence, level of transparency and accountability,” as well as having too many “gaps” in its execution, quality of work done, and overall management.

The report said that contrary to the SHR programme’s fundamental mandate, homes were repaired “where occupants were not elderly, disabled and unemployed”.