$8 million spent on Edmund Bartlett's Office

[Hortical]

Tourism's Suite LIFE - Big spend in hard times - Millions spent to make over tourism minister's office

Published: Sunday | October 11, 2009


NWA project management -$400,000

Bartlett's executive chair - $77,046

Building owner gets $2.5 million for modifications and new air conditioning

While the Government struggles to fund the island's Budget and crucial sectors face financial shortfalls, and families are forced to cut back on expenditure, at least one ministry has spent more than $8 million to refurbish and redecorate its suite of offices.

The Sunday Gleaner captures the cost and elegance of the Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett's New Kingston office. Based on the state of the island's economy, should a cap be placed on the expenditure for public-office renovations? Dr Jean Dixon, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, believes setting a cap would be an effective way to curb such spending.

-----------------

Suite cents

Chairs:

Executive leather chair for Bartlett

(Stationery and offices supplies)- $77,046

Eight executive chairs for conference room - $96,000

Blinds: Wooden blindsBlinds and Things)- $126,696

Fabric blindsRegency Blinds)- $18,532

Furniture Re-upholstery and Refinishing:

Thelyn's Custom Interiors - $98,550

L.P. Azar Limited - $99,725

Artistic Woodcraft - $263,758

Decorative painting: by Andrew Thompson - $16,600

Paint - True Value $7,041.01

Re-uplholstery, woodwork, fabric - $462,033

Services

NWA's project manager's fee - $422,403

Interior design consultation services - $220,000

C P Specialist Limited - $3,971,205

Jamaica Property Company Limited - $2,417,289.13

Jamaica Property Company Limited - $2,224.20

Eight executive chairs - $96,000

Grand total: $7,837,069.34

[Mosiah]

well, do they expect the man to conduct the nation's business in squalor?

[Muadib]

We come a LONG way !

Change is good !

EXCESSIVE CHARGES

"... He did some comparative reviews and he came up with some figures which suggested that there were excessive charges ranging up to 694 per cent," Strachan reported.

He said that the internal audit report indicated that there was a range of discrepancies identified in some of the billing. However, a specific figure was not determined.

It was also further revealed that Solicitor General Michael Hylton had recommended to the Minister of Tourism at the time, Portia Simpson Miller, that a formal claim be made for a refund of any sums paid to this company.

[1of1]

more things change they remain the same

[Karl]

$2.5 millions?
Cho!

[Muadib]

especially if you are blind...

[1of1]

you sir are certainly not blind

[HL]

In real money--that's less than US $100K. Leave the man alone.

When he invites prospective business in his office, the minister needs to impress.

A keep saying Jamaica must stop callin' their money Dallah($)...change it to peso or some other name.