Fraser tells RDA to step up its game
Third District Representative Julian Fraser has urged the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) to improve its performance, saying the agency must begin delivering major infrastructure projects with the efficiency and professionalism expected of the private sector.
Fraser made the remarks during last week’s House of Assembly debate on new legislation aimed at transforming and strengthening the RDA’s role in delivering public projects. While supporting the reforms, Fraser argued that the agency has drifted away from their usual standards.
“The RDA has to get back to where it was as far as delivering projects is concerned,” Fraser said. “I’m not sure that I am convinced that at the stage they’re at right now, that they are delivering to their potential and to our expectations.”
He said the agency was established because government ministries were often slowed by bureaucracy and administrative hurdles. However, he warned that the RDA now appears to be suffering from many of the same challenges. “Sometimes you can hardly tell the difference between the RDA and the government. And we can’t afford that,” Fraser stated.
According to the veteran legislator, the RDA should be capable of taking a project from concept to completion without the delays often associated with the public service.
“When we give the RDA a project, we expect them to deliver a project like the private sector — not like a government agency,” he said.
Fraser pointed to the long-delayed West End Ferry Terminal as an example of a project that has failed to meet public expectations. He noted that work on the redevelopment began decades ago and said the territory should have already seen its completion.
He also suggested that major initiatives such as the proposed Beef Island runway extension should be entrusted to an agency equipped to execute large-scale projects efficiently. The Third District representative also stressed the importance of maintaining high professional standards in procurement and project evaluation. He said contracts should be awarded to the “lowest responsible bidder” based on clear technical specifications rather than subjective considerations.
Fraser also cautioned against placing unqualified individuals in technical decision-making roles, saying the agency must ensure that qualified professionals assess bids and oversee projects.
“I want the RDA to get into making sure that the people they have on the staff are qualified in these areas to assess and make sure that you’re not selecting an individual because he’s a good talker. You’re selecting him because you can deliver and deliver according to specifications,” Fraser stated.
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Lol mehson mehn Fraser just pack it up.
The RDA is much more efficient than any ministry that Fraser has ever run – his current Ministry is taking between 15 and 20 months to process applications, and is requiring non-belongers intending to sell to belongers to advertise their properties even though they already have a belonger purchaser. Sheer madness.
He needs to preach inside his own ministry before criticising an entity that is much more efficient that his own.
“….make sure that you’re not selecting an individual because he’s a good talker. You’re selecting him because you can deliver and deliver according to specifications,” Fraser stated.”
The irony.
so says the expert on the water system
And stop lights.. Dont forget the stop lightsss!!
Is this guy senile? the rda is the best run body in government
Didn’t you staff it with career civil servants? What do you expect?
Yes! Was mostly expats brought in for specific roles. Now, mostly career civil servants.
Lord help us if the management of Water & Sewerage end up there
The DSal plant in CKa Bay in nonfunctional. Why doesn’t he step up to the plate and fix that? He’s so full of self and s**t.
More spent on plans to develop, and work out how to hand out the backhanders and the “thankyou for the contract” money, than if we just built the place.
Reason RDA was a success was then it was outside of the Governments hands.
success???? how???
The RDA now is a shadow of what it used to be. Just look at the previous staff qualifications against their current team!
is getting a chance to flex off his flaps and trying to make heself sound like real veteran who hasn’t accomplished anything that we can name after him with pride or dignity or honor or worthwhile , even the horse tract died because he delivered absolutely nothing, boi you tbetter enjoy that seat while its still there .
RDA has done more for this country in its short existence than career politician Julian Fraser has in 27 years. Just drive through the 3rd and you’ll see who ain’t got no game to step up. Him and anyone around him needs to stay away from representing this country.