Minister Grange welcomes OCG probe

Information, Culture, youth and sports minister, Olivia Grange says she has no problem with the Office of the Contractor General investigating procurement procedures for the recently held Olympic homecoming celebrations.



Yesterday the OCG said it is probing the award of certain government contracts that were associated with the celebrations held between October 3 and 10.



The OCG has asked the ministry to provide by November 12 with preliminary information regarding every contract valued at one hundred thousand dollars or more awarded in connection with the week of celebrations.



The OCG has also advised the ministry to be prepared for a review and audit by its investigation team.



The contractor general says the investigation is geared at ensuring transparency and accountability in the Ministry’s awarding of

contracts and should in no way diminish, or detract from the accomplishments of the country’s athletes during the Beijing Olympics.



Grange points to a circular from the Financial Secretary stating that effective September 22, artistic and cultural products and services, works of art, and other cultural and creative products and services are exempt from procurement procedures.



And, she says, the circular further states that the directives contained in it supersede all previous directives addressing those issues.



The information minister has also denied that the new procedures are meant to circumvent the standing government procurement procedures when undertaking certain procurement.