WHO ARE THE DONORS AT DURBAN PARK?

March 3, 2016 | By KNews | Filed Under Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2016/03/03/who-are-the-donors-at-durban-park/

The government is very silent on the financing of the works that are taking place at Durban Park.  The only comment that has been made so far is that it is a public-private partnership. So much for transparency!
The public is not aware of the nature of this public private partnership. It is not known whether the same model that was used for the Marriot Hotel is being used to finance the works at Durban Park. It is not known who are the private financiers involved in the works.
It is not known how much money the government has spent so far in creating a drill square for the military. It is not known why the government wants to hold major events at that area. It is known what will be the final cost to taxpayers of the works.
The national flag was raised there on February 23, 2016 but the accounts for the project are yet to be made public. Once public funds are involved, once public funds are allocated then there has to be some process of tendering.
The government cannot simply utilize state funds without following the necessary laws, unless it is treating the allocation as a subvention in which case some body corporate would have had to have been established.
There has been no word on this so far and therefore the public is again in the dark over a major government project.
The newspapers have not indicated whether any sums were specifically allocated in the Budget for the works at Durban Park. The opposition does not seem interested in how much money was spent so far on this project.
We have also learnt that the repairs to the Kitty Market will be partly funded by the government. This was what was reported on local newscast by one councillor. The estimated cost of the repairs was given as $240M. Yes, you read right!
The repairs to the Kitty Market are expected to cost $240M and these repairs involve using wood.
A whole new structure made out of concrete would have been erected with $240M, and it would not have required, within a few years, the sums that will be necessary to maintain a wooden structure.
It is not clear whether the works were publicly tendered for but since the government is footing part of the tab, it should have insisted on this so as to ensure that the best price was obtained. State funds simply cannot be allocated unless it is clear that the beat deal was obtained.
There is need for greater public disclosure on the government’s contribution to the works at Kitty Market. There is an even greater obligation for the government to indicate how the works at Durban Park are being financed.
It is nice to know that businesses may be contributing to the works there. But the public needs to know the names of businesses involved. The public needs to know the names because they need to be on the lookout if these businesses will be looking for favors down the road from the government.
Government has to be careful about accepting assistance from private companies. If it wants a public- private partnership to develop Durban Park, it should have solicited donations through a transparent public process. Was this done?
So as to avoid the allegation that secret deals were made and that favours may have to be reciprocated in the future, the government should make public just who is financing the works at Durban Park and how much tax dollars is financing the repairs to the Kitty Market.