Opposition Demands HDC Release Report Following OPR Procurement Findings

The Opposition is calling on the Housing Development Corporation to release a report produced following an Office of Procurement Regulation inquiry into a controversial procurement exercise.

Senator Dr Margaret Rose raised the issue during the Opposition’s September 10 press conference, citing an OPR statement concerning its inquiry.

According to Rose, the regulator identified issues involving the interpretation and application of the procurement legislation, procedural gaps and shortcomings in supplier identification.

She said the OPR also identified concerns surrounding the level of due diligence conducted during pre-qualification and evaluation.

Rose said Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles submitted Freedom of Information requests to both the HDC and OPR on August 21 seeking access to the report.

According to Rose, the OPR acknowledged receipt and indicated that it would consider whether the information could be disclosed.

She claimed the HDC had not even acknowledged the request by the date of the press conference.

Rose argued that the public needs to know what went wrong and what corrective measures were recommended, particularly if another procurement exercise is undertaken.

She said legitimately sensitive information could be redacted but maintained that the report itself should be released.