CDF head raise concerns about project implementing agencies
KEDESHA CAMPBELL, who heads the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Implementing Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, on Tuesday, raised concerns about the practice of some implementing agencies of seeking agency fees without including costs in projects approved.
Campbell told the committee that some agencies have demanded fees after the completion of projects although they are not included in the contracts signed off by the committee.
NO STANDARD FEE
Campbell indicated that she had seen no standard agency fee on some project documents. “Although we have in our agreement that it is five per cent, when you look, sometimes they make special arrangements with members of Parliament, so you notice sometimes that it’s 2.5 per cent, sometimes it’s none,” she said.
The CDF head sought advice from the committee, stating that they were public documents and subject to scrutiny.
The committee’s chairman, Everald Warmington, responded. “If they don’t add the fees to it, we just take it as it is ... . ”
However, Campbell sought greater clarity. “No, but I have noticed situations [in] which it is not included.
“Who signed the documents? The implementing agency?” Warmington asked. “Right,” responded Campbell. “And submitted it?” Warmington again asked, to which Campbell responded in the affirmative.
“They can’t ask for agency fee at the end of the day. They have to include it at the front end. They can’t come at the back end and ask for something like that,” Warmington said.
Committee member Mikael Phillips said that the issue had arisen before.
“We have had that before . ... I think what needs to be done is that they be written to again to state that it should come. Whatever is in the final document that is signed off by the committee, it is what will be paid.”