THE Public School System and the Department of Public Works’ “unclear project oversight role” may have contributed to the delay in the construction of the $6.3 million Kagman Elementary School project, the Office of the Public Auditor said in a report released yesterday.
The project contractor’s poor quality control and the government’s lack of quality assurance may have also contributed to the project delay, OPA added.
Pac-United is the contractor for the project.
Public Auditor Michael S. Sablan, in the 24-page report, also cited the contractor’s “lack of needed resources to complete the project,” as pointed out by DPW, PSS and the U.S. Office of Insular Affairs.
“It appears that the contractor relied on at least 10 other firms to assist in completing this school project because it lacked the needed personnel, equipment and financing,” said OPA.
Although the contractor completed smaller projects on Saipan, the Kagman Elementary School project was its largest job to date, OPA added.
Under a contract approved on Dec. 18, 1998, the school project’s construction was to be completed on Feb. 12, 2000.
Kagman Elementary School was opened on Sept. 1, 2000, almost seven months later than scheduled.
“We believe that unclear project oversight, as exercised by DPW and PSS, likewise may have contributed to the delay,” said Sablan.
PSS and DPW assumed the role of construction manager, possibly creating confusion as to who the contractor should follow in correcting deficiencies.
The report noted that DPW had requested the purchase of, and accepted, two 1999 Toyota RAV4s costing $45,380 and with car insurance coverage of $5,000—even though PSS did not authorize such purchase.
DPW then submitted a proposed change order to OIA, which subsequently disallowed the purchase on the basis that the vehicles could not be purchased with CIP funds, only to turn around later and allow the lease of the vehicle under the construction contract.
