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Next door to Henry's office sits …Spanking new Works Agency
Published: Friday | November 18, 2011 0 Comments
Relaxation facilities for staff outside the NWA offices.photos by Ian Allen/Photographer
Christopher Campbell, property and estate manager at the NWA, shows journalists a refurbished bathroom at the agency's corporate offices during a tour of the facilities yesterday.
An upgraded common area across from a meeting room at the NWA's offices.
One of the tiled sections of a wall and a sliding door leading to a meeting room at the National Works Agency's (NWA) offices.
THE BRAND new porcelain tiles on the floor, as well as wooden tiles and rails in the lobby of the National Works Agency (NWA) offices are telltale signs of a facelift at the agency's corporate offices.
There are decorated finishes as well as metallic coverings on some areas of the walls.
It was noted in the auditor general's special report on the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) that contrary to the provisions of the procurement guidelines, the NWA used the sole-source method to award a contract to CHEC for US$1.2 million, approximately J$102 million, to refurbish its corporate offices without the required approval of the NCC.
Wong said US$2.5 million of the US$400 million for JDIP was set aside for institutional strengthening of the NWA.
"The refurbishing was required because of the nature of the programme. We were given approval to hire 58 additional members of staff ... the entire roof of the building was leaking, so computers, files and everything was in jeopardy," Wong said.
He added: "We had to upgrade the lab facilities to accommodate such a large programme. There were many issues."
New fittings
The NWA now boasts remade bathrooms, on some walls, and new air-conditioning. There is even a patio which is being stifled by an unruly lawn.
Many of the doors are of solid wood and, in one case, a stylish sliding wooden door leads to a conference room.
The canteen has been refurbished, and like the command centre, has been outfitted with a new 42-inch flat-screen.
The NWA office is located beside the office of Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry.
Henry, in a media release on Wednesday, said had the matter come to his attention when it was under consideration, he would not have approved the expenditure based on the financial constraints now facing the country.
daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com
Published: Friday | November 18, 2011 0 Comments
Relaxation facilities for staff outside the NWA offices.photos by Ian Allen/Photographer
Christopher Campbell, property and estate manager at the NWA, shows journalists a refurbished bathroom at the agency's corporate offices during a tour of the facilities yesterday.
An upgraded common area across from a meeting room at the NWA's offices.
One of the tiled sections of a wall and a sliding door leading to a meeting room at the National Works Agency's (NWA) offices.
THE BRAND new porcelain tiles on the floor, as well as wooden tiles and rails in the lobby of the National Works Agency (NWA) offices are telltale signs of a facelift at the agency's corporate offices.
There are decorated finishes as well as metallic coverings on some areas of the walls.
It was noted in the auditor general's special report on the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) that contrary to the provisions of the procurement guidelines, the NWA used the sole-source method to award a contract to CHEC for US$1.2 million, approximately J$102 million, to refurbish its corporate offices without the required approval of the NCC.
Wong said US$2.5 million of the US$400 million for JDIP was set aside for institutional strengthening of the NWA.
"The refurbishing was required because of the nature of the programme. We were given approval to hire 58 additional members of staff ... the entire roof of the building was leaking, so computers, files and everything was in jeopardy," Wong said.
He added: "We had to upgrade the lab facilities to accommodate such a large programme. There were many issues."
New fittings
The NWA now boasts remade bathrooms, on some walls, and new air-conditioning. There is even a patio which is being stifled by an unruly lawn.
Many of the doors are of solid wood and, in one case, a stylish sliding wooden door leads to a conference room.
The canteen has been refurbished, and like the command centre, has been outfitted with a new 42-inch flat-screen.
The NWA office is located beside the office of Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry.
Henry, in a media release on Wednesday, said had the matter come to his attention when it was under consideration, he would not have approved the expenditure based on the financial constraints now facing the country.
daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com
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