PLP Blog | Bermuda Progressive Labour Party

Today, the PLP Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing announced that the Grand Atlantic Project will create at least 78 high quality affordable housing units for hard working Bermudians. And, the PLP Government has the option of purchasing another 48 units at the same price.

The housing units will come online in three phases. No funds will be paid to the developer until the units have been built and occupancy certificates have been obtained. The PLP Government will purchase blocks of housing, once the developer has met prescribed obligations, and then immediately sell them to clients of the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC).

This initiative is a partnership with the private sector and the Government. The PLP Government remains ever committed to delivering affordable housing to Bermudians.

According to the Ministry, simply put, the Grand Atlantic project is a “Loughlands – style” development, where the developer takes on the full responsibility for the project, which includes the housing and the hotel.

As such, the Government will purchase blocks of housing, once the developer has met prescribed obligations, and then immediately sell them to clients of the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC).

As a note of clarity, the Government is not involved in the hotel development.

The BHC has agreed to purchase 78 (seventy-eight) of the affordable housing units (in three phases). The cost totals around $40.6 million.

As a note, no funds will be paid to the developer until the units have been built and occupancy certificates have been obtained.

The BHC has an option to purchase the remaining 47 (forty-seven) units under the same terms.

As it relates to queries relating to the sale and tendering of subcontracts for the development, the Ministry advised that those aspects are the responsibility of the developer.

Finally and as a reminder, this initiative is a partnership with the private sector and the Government. And the Ministry took this opportunity to assure the public that this Government remains ever committed to delivering affordable housing to Bermudians.

Financial Secretary Donald Scott sets the record straight: the Auditor General always had access to the Government's Financial Information System. He further noted that while systems upgrades that took place created some confusion, the Auditor General never lost access to the data she needs to do her job. Mr. Scott:

It was an egregious and terrible error to state that the Finance Ministry had blocked the Auditor-General from accessing Government’s financial information system.

Nothing could be further from the truth, especially since the Auditor-General was given a full electronic file of Government’s 2009-2010 year-end financial information on 5th June 2010 for their audit work of the Consolidated Fund...

Those in the combined opposition that sought to use these untrue allegations to besmirch the reputation of the PLP Government and Minister Paula Cox owe her an apology. Mr. Scott continues:

Many will be aware that Government’s financial information and management system, known as FIMS, is in the process of being upgraded. Part of the foundation work for transition to the new system includes a detailed review of users on the system to ensure that authority to enter, change and approve entries and transactions on the system may not be exposed to abuse or inadvertent misuse. These reviews and changes in user profiles are being undertaken on a government-wide basis.

In the case of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), it was found that the user profile for the Auditor-General had to be changed as it allowed the Auditor-General a capacity to approve all government transactions. This authority was wrong and had to be corrected if only because it compromised the integrity of the OAG with respect to the audit of the Consolidated Fund which operates on FIMS. User profiles for other staff in OAG also required alteration to improve internal controls in the OAG.

During the change to amend the incorrect level of approval authority for the Auditor-General, the Auditor-General’s ability to view the FIMS system across government and indeed to approve her own Department’s transactions was interrupted inadvertently. The functionality has been restored.

It should be noted that the user-profiles for three other staff in the OAG were corrected without incident.

Further, there was uninterrupted access to FIMS that allowed audit staff to continue their audit work during the short period that the Auditor-General had the difficulty. And I restate that the OAG was given a full electronic file of Government’s 2009-2010 year-end financial information on 5th June 2010 for their audit work of the Consolidated Fund. This file provided OAG with the information needed to run reports, test trial balances and perform other checks relating to the financial statements.

There you have it. The full story. There was a systems upgrade, but, the Auditor General never lost access to the vital information she needs. Mr. Scott continues:

It is also important for the Legislature and the general public to be aware that the Department of Internal Audit (IA) is now established and functioning. As it performs the internal audit function, it has perpetual access to FIMS to check on internal control functions. IA also has a full programme of work that is designed to ensure that Heads of Department and Permanent Secretaries are properly discharging their responsibilities with respect to the care and safe custody of public assets.

For instance, IA conducts surprise cash counts and reviews of purchase order books, etc. Most recently, Ministry of Finance Headquarters was subject to a surprise visit from IA for review of purchase order books and petty cash balances.

Given the improvements that the Ministry of Finance has undertaken over the years to improve transparency in government financial affairs and the enhancements to controls, it is most regrettable that the statement issued by the OAG has allowed an important and non-partisan matter to become politicized. The work that is being undertaken is operational in nature and does not involve the Minister of Finance.

The Ministry of Finance has nothing to hide with respect to the conduct of the Government of Bermuda’s financial affairs and will continue to strive towards improvements in this crucial area such that public confidence, including the confidence of capital markets, is maintained at the highest level.

There you have it. The full story. The Auditor General never lost access to critical financial information. Those in the combined opposition who seized on this issue for political gain without pursuing the full truth owe Minister Cox and the PLP Government an apology.

X-Ray equipment on Hamilton docks will help us keep drugs and guns out of Bermuda. The PLP Government is moving with all possible speed to bring equipment online that will make Bermuda safer. We're advocating to get the equipment in place as soon as possible. The Ministry of Finance sets the record straight:

In response to media reports today, suggesting a possible delay in the installation of specialized X-Ray Equipment on the Hamilton Docks, the Department of Customs advised that the Immigration Department is awaiting responses to requests for additional information – which is to be provided by the Corporation of Hamilton.

This project is considered a priority for Government, and the Department of Customs remains committed to ensuring that that all of Bermuda’s borders are protected.

That said, it is not anticipated that the lack of requisite information from the Corporation will have a direct impact on the overall project completion, instead it may result in some of the dock preparation work being delayed.

The X-Ray equipment is a priority. And, we're working with our partners to ensure that it is implemented as soon as possible.

The PLP Government is committed to supporting the Town of St. George's by creating new revenue streams to maintain the town and preserve it's UNESCO World Heritage Site fortifications. Acting Minister of Tourism & Transport Zane DeSilva commented on the negotiation:

We are very pleased to be working with St. George’s in this way. The Mayor raised this and other issues with the Premier, and Cabinet were very receptive to these suggestions.

We will continue to examine this and other proposals as we work to revitalize the Town of St. George’s and maintain its focus as a prime location for our tourists.

One idea discussed was an addition of one penny to the retail cost of gasoline and diesel. Estimates from the consultation between the Corporation of St. George’s and the Government indicate that approximately $1.2 million annually could be raised in this way.

Join Minister Paula Cox and M.C. Nikita Robinson for a family event, 'Sowing Seeds for the Future.' Hear powerful stories ... meet the authors... 'germinate' new life... lots of games! Vendors include DeGraff's Lunch Counter, Cool Licks Soft Serve Ice Cream Truck.

This Saturday, July 10th from 10 am - 1 pm at Arboretum Park. Be there!

Under Premier Ewart Brown, we've passed bills to crack down on crime and make our streets safer. We've passed a landmark FutureCare initiative that thousands of Bermudians are already benefiting from. We passed free Bermuda College, and free transport for our students. We're focused on results. Premier Ewart Brown impacted that point:

My administration has introduced a record number of bills in the House. That is what is important. The Bermudian people are more concerned with results than they are with personal attendance statistics. The fact that the Opposition leader has a near-perfect attendance is clear evidence that it takes more than just being there.

Whenever the Premier, our MPs and our Ministers are away, they monitor Parliamentary proceedings and are in constant touch with their colleagues in the House.

Do you have computers or other e-waste you need to recycle? This Saturday, July 10th from 9 am - 5 pm, drop off your e-waste at teh Marsh Folly Compound in Pembroke.

In addition to computers, electronic waste includes any circuit board containing equipment or anything powered by either batteries or a power cord.

All items are shipped to a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified facility where they are shredded and recycled.

The PLP Government is committed to improving the lives of Bermuda's seniors. Minister Neletha Butterfield underscored that commitment in an address to the 2010 Seniors' Award Ceremony. Minister Butterfield:

It is an honor and privilege to bring greetings on behalf of the Premier, the Government and people of Bermuda to you, our honoured and respected seniors. We recognize and celebrate all that we as a people owe to our elders who laid the foundation for the Bermuda that we all benefit from today. While this is Senior Citizens’ Week, I want you to know that our Government has done our best to make EVERY day one where our seniors are a priority.

With FutureCare to take care of your health needs; the elimination of land tax, passport renewal and vehicle licensing fees to keep more of your money in your pocket and maintaining the policy of free bus service for seniors so that each of you can travel freely around the beautiful island you helped to build, this PLP Government has not forgotten our seniors. We will continue to make life better for you in your golden years as we learn from your wisdom and knowledge and take steps to further improve your quality of life.

So, as we begin Seniors' week, we hope you'll join us in honouring the special seniors in your life this week. Spend some time with them and thank them for all they've done to both enrich our lives and build the Bermuda we love today.

Yesterday, the PLP Government took action to make Bermuda's roads safer. We made it an offense to drive and talk on a cellular telephone and we made it an offense for a person under age 18 to ride an auxiliary bicycle between 1:00 am and 5:00 am, we increased penalties for tinted windows and we made it an offense for an individual under 18 to carry a pillion passenger.

Premier Brown commented on the need to ban cell phones while driving:

Statistics from the Bermuda Police Service indicate that inattention, which includes distracted drivers, was one of the major causes of accidents on our roads. The Police Traffic Records indicate that there are in excess of 500 accidents owing to inattention each year. As at May 2010, this number stood at 261.

Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge that cell phone usage while driving is only one of many distractions and there is no specific data to suggest that it is the cause of all of the accidents categorized in the Police Traffic Records, however, there is evidence to suggest that such usage is a contributing factor in some cases.

In fact, a University of Utah study showed that cell phone usage while driving was just as unsafe as driving drunk.
The study, which was a simulated study, showed that cell-phone using drivers have a slower reaction time. They took nine percent longer to hit the brakes and were 19 percent slower to resume a normal driving speed after brake application. They also showed 24 percent more variation in the distance at which they followed other vehicles.
These impaired reaction times make drivers who are talking on the phone more likely to get into an accident. Three people in the study actually rear-ended the pace car they were supposed to be following in driving simulations.

It is not surprising therefore that a review of other jurisdictions by the Road Safety Council in cooperation with the Transport Control Department shows that 24 of the 51 states in the United States as well as Canada; the United Kingdom; and New Zealand have either banned, partially banned or are currently debating the ban on hand-held devices while driving.

It is believed that by introducing specific distracted driving legislation such as the Notice before the House today that the overall level of traffic safety on our roads will improve.

The objective of the policy to prohibit drivers from using their cell phones and other entertainment devices while driving is to increase driver attention and decrease road traffic accidents.

The PLP Government is committed to making Bermuda's roads safer and these policies are a step in the right direction.