The 2022 Auditor General Report has revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture fired the contractor responsible for the $26.42 million Timber Wharf and Landing construction project, after a number of irregularities were cited.
The project was awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to the Fishermen Cooperative Society in December 2022.
The report states that checks were made up to December 31, 2022 show a sum of $3.963M was disbursed to the named contractor. However, several irregularities underscored the need for a thorough examination of the project’s progress and execution.
The report noted that prior to the scheduled completion within 90 days, a site inspection was supposed to be done but it was met with a delay. Shockingly, only one excavator and a single staff member from the contracted company were present on-site, raising concerns about the project’s progress.
Furthermore, the report said the audit unveiled alarming lapses in construction quality. Sub-standard timber deck planks, marked by defective fall edges and cracks along the grain, were installed. This not only compromises structural integrity but also raises questions about adherence to specified standards.
Equally troubling was the discovery that the contractor deviated from the contract specifications. Instead of utilizing the required 320 excavator for pile driving, the contractor opted for a method inconsistent with the preliminary bills. The absence of a barge and appropriate equipment further compounded the issue, casting doubt on the accuracy of pile depth confirmation.
The report also highlighted the non-vertical positioning of many piles, posing a serious threat to the overall bearing capacity.
“This is a very serious matter and it is unclear why this situation is being tolerated by the Ministry (of Agriculture),” the report noted. In its response, the ministry said the contractor was fired on August 17, 2023.
Most concerning was the ministry’s apparent tolerance of these deviations, questioning the effectiveness of its oversight. The audit report also called for urgent intervention to rectify the irregularities and ensure the project aligns with the approved specifications and standards.
The report also raises serious questions about the allocation and utilization of funds, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in public projects of this magnitude.
