Govt Budgets $231M More to Meet Outstanding Sabina Park Cost

[Lazie]

Govt Budgets $231M More to Meet Outstanding Sabina Park Costs


Additional claims from Ashtrom Building Systems Limited for construction work on Sabina Park, Kingston, to co-host the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC), has added $231 million to the 2009/10 budget.
The figure was included in the First Supplementary Estimates tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (September 22), under the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service's capital budget, as "additional requirement to facilitate payment to Ashtrom Building Systems Limited for construction claims and arbitration award for Sabina Park."
Ashtrom, whose headquarters is based in Israel, was awarded the contract, in 2005, for the reconstruction of Sabina Park to meet International Cricket Council (ICC) standards for the staging of CWC 2007, at a cost of $1.2 billion. However, Minister of Finance and Planning, the Hon. Audley Shaw, revealed recently that the cost has risen by an additional claim of $1.4 billion from Ashtrom.
"That is what I discovered this week," Mr. Shaw told a Jamaica District Grand Lodge (United Order of Mechanics/Friendly Societies) dinner at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston on September 12. He explained that the matter was being arbitrated, but that Ashtrom had already won the first round of the arbitration and could, possibly, win the second, as well.
"And since we have to be engaged in zero based budgeting, we have to assume the possibility that they could win the entire arbitration process," he stated.
"If they do, not only do we have to pay US$7.5 million for the remainder of that contract, it will attract an interest cost of two percent per month, from May of 2007. When you finish totting that up in Jamaican Dollars, the total cost of the legacy of Sabina Park will be an additional $1.4 billion that we are going to have to find to pay that bill," Mr. Shaw said.
He added that the unexpected expenses, while revenue is falling, was a major challenge for the Government. He also accused the Opposition of seeking to enjoy the luxury of being Opposition at this time, without acknowledging that they had left the current Government with "a legacy for us to deal with all of these issues, none of which has to do with the decisions of this Government."
Former Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, who broke ground for the project in 2005, noted then that, although Jamaica Cricket 2007 Limited was responsible for staging CWC 2007 in Jamaica, the contract would be funded from the public coffers.
"I had little difficulty in persuading the Minister of Finance to make the necessary provisions. This decision was taken by the Cabinet and we think it is necessary and a timely investment," Mr. Patterson said at the ground breaking. He also predicted that the activity would generate substantial investments and would not only benefit the people in cricket, but also the adjoining communities.
"I am simply saying a spark from Sabina Park will ignite, in a positive way, the redevelopment, rebirth and the growth not only in this area, but of Kingston," he predicted.
Sabina Park had been selected to host six matches in the group stage of CWC 2007 and one semi final match.

http://www.jis.gov.jm/parliament/htm...PARK_COSTS.asp

[Lazie]

CDF cut almost in half - MPs to get $20 million to spend in their constituencies this year

Published: Friday | September 25, 2009


Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter
The Government has slashed almost 50 per cent off the allocation for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), leaving each member of parliament with only $20 million to spend this fiscal year.
The first Supplementary Estimates of expenditure, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, reflects an allocation of $1.26 billion for the CDF, down from the $2.46 billion which was initially allocated.
However, this should come as no surprise to members of parliament as Prime Minister Bruce Golding had previously signalled that the CDF could be reduced, despite being a main campaign promise of the Jamaica Labour Party in the lead-up to the 2007 general election. "When the Ministry of Finance

approaches the expenditure budget with its scalpel, we are going to protect health, education and security and the social safety net. As to what will happen with the CDF, which falls among the rest, I can't say at this stage," Golding had told journalists during a post-Cabinet media briefing almost two months ago.
"I know the value of it (the CDF) and I know the impact that it has had and we will certainly take that into account, but I cannot give any commitment that it will not have to make a contribution to bringing that fiscal deficit back in line."
With confirmation of the reduction coming on Tuesday, junior minister with responsibility for the CDF, Shahine Robinson, said the cut would not affect any project that has already started.
"The money for projects under the CDF is allocated in tranches, based on the approval of projects," Robinson told The Gleaner.
"What would happen is that the project would be approved and the money disbursed before the work would start," Robinson added.
Decide on priorities
She noted that members of parliament would now have to look at the projects which they had intended to do and decide on the priorities.
However, leader of opposition business in the House of Representatives, Derrick Kellier, said it would be difficult for MPs to make the choices.
Kellier had responded to the prime minister's warning two months ago by urging him to retain the CDF, even if the allocation were reduced.
Yesterday, Kellier told The Gleaner that the 50 per cent reduction was what he had suggested if the CDF was cut at all. arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean...ead/lead7.html

[Lazie]

Former Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, who broke ground for the project in 2005, noted then that, although Jamaica Cricket 2007 Limited was responsible for staging CWC 2007 in Jamaica, the contract would be funded from the public coffers.
"I had little difficulty in persuading the Minister of Finance to make the necessary provisions. This decision was taken by the Cabinet and we think it is necessary and a timely investment," Mr. Patterson said at the ground breaking. He also predicted that the activity would generate substantial investments and would not only benefit the people in cricket, but also the adjoining communities.
"I am simply saying a spark from Sabina Park will ignite, in a positive way, the redevelopment, rebirth and the growth not only in this area, but of Kingston," he predicted. (Article)

... yet there are those of us who want to act as if the state of the country started when this gov't took office? There is the Omar defenders who thinks Shaw should leave Omar alone?

When are you all going to realise how much those clowns focked up? Yet my good friend Plush a talk bout him convinced this gov't have no clue? As mi tell yuh yessiday ... if yuh gonna grandstand ... yuh need to keep it real.

As fi the comrade leader talking bout they're ready to take office again ....TO DO WHAT?