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Port Royal report to go before committee

Auditor General Heather Jacobs Matthews

A report by the Auditor General that faulted the multimillion-dollar refurbishment of the Port Royal Golf Course will go before the Public Accounts Committee for discussion.

The move was announced this morning by Speaker of the House Randy Horton,

The Auditor General’s scathing report investigating the redevelopment of Port Royal Golf Course under the former government was highly critical of the conduct of the Board of Trustees.

It was the subject of intense scrutiny with the Auditor General citing cost overruns, lack of oversight, and loans authorised without Parliamentary approval.

The project, initially budgeted for $4.5 million ended up costing $24 million.

In her report, Heather Jacobs Matthews, outlined how the development project was not delegated to the Ministry of Works and Engineering, which has the authority and expertise to undertake such projects.

Instead, the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Tourism and Transport, and the Board of Trustees were responsible for the management. Neither has the expertise or legal authority to do in accordance with Financial Instructions.

Although $24 million went on the project, the Government recorded just $14.9 million as capital assets in the Consolidated Fund records. The $1.4 million spent on the clubhouse was not recorded as capital.

The Government was not authorised to provide further funding until approval was received from Parliament through the budgetary process.

The remaining $9.6 million was recorded as operational expenses in the Consolidated Fund. No rationale was given for splitting costs in this matter, the report said.