‘There was no dishonesty’ | Walwyn not shying from wall debate
Walwyn
Amid claims of poor project management and even impropriety surrounding the perimeter wall that was erected around Elmore Stout High School, Education Minister Myron Walwyn has made it clear that he is not shying away from the discussion.
“I welcome a vigorous debate on the Elmore Stoutt wall audit. As a matter of fact, it is my intention to move a motion [in the House of Assembly] for that audit to be debated when it is laid. For me, the issue is about ensuring that the level of government’s accountability and transparency processes are elevated and consistent across all ministries and government departments,” Walwyn said in a statement to local media this week.
The minister’s move to tackle the controversy head-on comes amid the Auditor General’s report on the wall which stated that the education ministry’s handle of near-million dollar project was not in compliance with government’s Public Finance Regulation.
Walwyn, however, maintains that those assertions are false.
“I am absolutely certain that there was no dishonesty of any sort in the execution of this project from the Ministry of Education. I cannot say that everything was done perfectly because that wouldn’t be true. What I can say is that I am eager to see positive action, not just plain political talk, to raise the standard of transparency and accountability in the government service,” the minister said.
He added: “I am also interested in seeing that all critical departments such as the auditor general’s office have all the resources that they need to carry out their responsibilities to the highest level.”
The project to build the wall — which is about 1,562 feet long and about eight to 10 feet high — had a cost overrun that was well in the thousands.
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The cost of that wall, if the dimensions are indeed 1,562 feet
long by 10 feet high is circa $64 per square foot, that is ridiculously high.
@Cromwell, you are spot on about the cost of the wall being ridiculously high @ around $64 p/s/f. actually it’s a bit more…here’s the math: L 1562′ x H 10′ =15,620 sf x 64.00 p/sf = $999,680.00
The key questions are: 1) Why was such a large wall necessary in the first place? This isn’t a prison. Could there have been a more reasonable solution such as a simple wooden fence? 2) Why was the oversight of the project given to an Education Minister? 3) Why were 70 people contracted with? Managing 70 is much more difficult than managing 1. 4) Why does the project remain unfinished?
I would like this fine newspaper to publish a map showing who was responsible for each section of the partially unfinished wall. We have a right to know. It was paid for with our money!
Myron is saying that there was no dishonesty…OH REALLY?
So what you call persons being paid and no work was done? This man needs to be fired.
This m– is a bully. A dictator. A divider. Also in denial.
An this fella has neck to run for office…??
Unbelievable but true…what a bully
This man is a genuine fake.
thank god he will never be our Premier cant trust them with money
Our next Premier!
Lock him up.
You need to lock yourself and your clan up first. SfS, jealousy is a bad thing. Just go sit somewhere with your jealous thirsty A**.
You need to lock yourself and your clan up first. SfS, jealousy is a bad thing. Just go sit somewhere with your jealous thirsty A**.
Myron has disgraced Mr. Elmore Stoutt name.
That statement in itself is dishonest.
Really ! Then honestly tell us if you you pocketed from the WALL.
Oh and how much .. honestly now, the truth