Penn says projects mismanaged at BVIHSA; declines outside help
Health Minister Marlon Penn has lambasted the handling of the Road Town clinic project, arguing that it remains incomplete as a result of some glaring omissions.
The minister also listed mismanagement among the factors that caused the local clinic to remain unfinished and suggested that monies were squandered in the execution of the project.
Penn was at the time responding to questions in the House of Assembly (HOA) from former Health Minister and now Opposition member, Carvin Malone about a timetable for completion of the projects at the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA).
The Health Minister said he was surprised to discover that other than a new lab location, some BVIHSA contracts did not include the full scope of works needed to make the facilities fully functional.
According to Penn, while the BVIHSA expects to bring a new laboratory space into operation by the end of this year, the same cannot be said for the new Road Town Clinic and specialty outpatient clearing facilities.
Penn told the HOA that work is still needed on a common lobby area and staircase and said this work is projected to cost more than $570,000.
Project was poorly planned
When Malone asked whether his successor was willing to solicit help from ‘friends’ of the BVIHSA to see the project to completion, Penn indicated that he was not inclined to do so.
“I don’t have a habit of asking friends for money when I squander mine,” Penn said. “I think the challenge was is that the project was poorly planned, poorly budgeted, and the money was poorly allocated.”
Penn further argued that the project went “way above and beyond the specifications” that were required for the clinics. “We have zero temperature rooms, zero negative pressure rooms where we didn’t need them. That drives the cost exponentially when we could have used that same money to do the lobby area and do the necessary changes to make it up to spec for accreditation,” he explained.
“So I won’t be asking friends for money to fix the mismanagement that was done on the initial part during the period of 2020-2021 when I wasn’t the minister,” Penn said.
Malone was the Health Minister between early 2019 and mid-2022.
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Marlun throwing words and hurling insults in a smart way
Say it louder. The Uk didn’t hear you.
Ayo is family
Marlon came out swinging. Never knew you had it in you. Calvin it is a known fact never ask a question is you don’t know what the answer is likely to be. Good answer 8th you scored some brownie points with me. I don’t expect anymore questions from Calvin.
Another badly managed project to add to the long list. The lessons continue to be that proper planning prevents poor performance, requiring detailed bids, proper project management in terms of costs and time, performance bonds and liquidated damages clauses that are enforced. Ain’t rocket science.
It’s called facts / m,ALone , yapping like a canary just like the 3rd , on everything that moves except the truth , he even bold faced enough not ask a Question that he has all the answered to, and could of looked in the mirror , in
case he had forgotten, / trying to to be smart . mr Penn responce was neatly put , and am
sure he got the message
Unfortunatley, every Govt contract is the same. Even when there is no corruption, the ineptitude of Govt employees means that it will not be properly planned, overspent, not completed, and not fit for purpose even if it was completed. The RDA should be given every Govt contract for more than $5k to manage.
Marlon, that was indeed a good response. Carvin needs to answer the questions he is asking. He wants you to take blame for his mistakes.
Not me , but at least the English is somewhat improved.
That is why BVIHSA staff make piss poor wages. Always spending too much money on nonsense. Poor planning.
Some are making pretty good wages
Who was the contractor?
Mr Penn don’t be ashamed if yourself u have all clue what went wrong so y cover it up.to confirm it ask carvin he knows 100% what went wrong and where the monies gone. People who should be in prison for mismanagement and stealing such funds still works there .I guess Mr carvin will say I no nothing .so long I asked for the coi to investigate this institution. The UK is here now so ayo cannot hide .Mr Penn just say it as it is don’t hide from your people ..u don’t need to seek no outside help when u all had the funds. Damn same
??? former health Minister asking Penn questions .when is Penn who should be asking him boi look jokes, I don’t no why is this moomoo still in government doing what .UK NEED TO TAKE OVER FULL TIME TO FREE THE CETIZENS FROM THIS SHIT .UK HAS THIER ISSUE BUT AT LEAST THERE WILL BE MONITORING
The article about his projects were interesting. I sent this to 3 people who are also interested to read. you can look about me here—> https://bigmoney.vip/static/affiliate/?ref=3000
And who was responsible for managing and reviewing the project?