Slow progress with projects
By Charles Pitt,
Political Editor

Audit Office reports a number of Government projects in the northern group as causing concern.
On Wednesday the Audit office report for the 1st Quarter 1 July 2006 to 30 September 2006 was tabled.
In July 2006 Audit Office staff visited Rakahanga, Manihiki and Penrhyn and reported their concerns regarding Government projects.
On Rakahanga, two projects were reviewed, these being the hospital and the school. An inspection of the hospital project found that since 1993 it was only 70% complete. Still to be done are general plumbing and fittings, electrical wiring and floor tiling.
Audit Office was informed that the former Island Secretary (Nga Takai) was alleged to have misused an undisclosed amount of materials from the project. Further allegations were made that Danny Piho (now in New Zealand) had borrowed 21 three by two pieces of timber for his private house.
As to the school project, only four classrooms were completed instead of five. Apparently the materials allocated for an extra classroom for Pre-school/House economics had been used instead for building the power station shed.
Also school materials such as plywood had been used for building the Island Council Pearl Seeding Shelter on the Motu.
MANIHIKI
On Manihiki it was found that the Tauhunu Hospital Project was 90% complete. Work still to do were installation of electrical and plumbing, fittings, tiling of floors and fitting internal and external doors. Completion was expected in September materials permitting. The project started in April 2002.
As to the airport shelter project delayed because of a land dispute, it was found that some of the materials had been used elsewhere. Some had been used for a temporary shelter joining the Central Administration Centre in Tukao. Materials had also been used for the workshop shed next to the Centre and some cement had been used to upgrade the internal wharf in Tukao.
As to the Tauhunu harbour project, Audit recorded its disappointment at the wastage of materials purchased for the project, lying idle, decaying and as a result totally unusable. Some 21 pallets of cement had gone rock solid. Some cement had been used on the internal wharf at Tauhunu and on the Marine Resources jetty. More blasting and dredging was needed in the main internal harbour area.
ARREARS
It was also found that the Island Administration’s accounts were two years in arrears.
On Penrhyn Audit Office found the underground water project was no longer required. The original plan was to build underground water catchments. An undisclosed amount of cement was provided for this project 4-5 years ago. Six pallets of cement are now stored in the harbour storage shed.
An inspection of the Marine Resources compound found that all buildings were in need of repair. The level of activity was found to be low due to the decreasing number of farmers.
COMPENSATION
It was also noted that former Island Secretary John Vano, through his solicitor, was seeking compensation to the value of $43,600.36 being $19,300.86 for two uncompleted public toilets and $24,300 for a house.
The current Council does not believe it is obligated to make these purchases as Vano built the buildings on his own initiative without authority from government under capital expenditure. This matter may be referred to Crown Law.

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