- 7
-
In the event, considerable extra work was found to be necessary which could
not have been anticipated before the work commenced.
Perhaps an element
for works of an unseen nature, including an increase in maintenance
contract rates, should have been included in the original estimate but,
it is quite clear that the final outcome could not have been
even so,
anticipated.
20.
The Director of Public Works has advised that the views of the
Government Maintenance Surveyor were made in the context of the possible
difference between the rough order of cost and the contractor's final
account, and that a more detailed estimate at that stage would still not
have revealed the extent of the work required. In the event, the work took
much longer to complete than had been anticipated. This was partly due
to its coinciding with abnormally wet weather w ich not only caused delay but
itself required additional work to be undertaken.
21.
In retrospect, it is possible that the wrong decision was taken.
But it cannot be concluded even now that better value for money would have
been obtained had the block of flats been reprovisioned. The original
estimate of $2.1 million was in itself an order of cost and there is no
means of determining what the final contract sum would have been. As
previously stated, there was an acute shortage of quarters at the time
and a decision had to be taken quickly on the basis of the information
then available.
Faragraph 47: Head 71 - Public Works Non-recurrent: Buildings
22.
Subhead 982 Fitting out of premises
In the 1973-74 and 1974-75 Estimates only the approved provision,
without a project estimate, was included under the subhead for the fitting
out of premises. Thus it was necessary for any application for over-
commitment or supplementary provision that exceeded delegated powers
to be submitted to Finance Committee for approval. Because of commitments
/carried.....