Gov’s spent MOP4 billion in rents | Commission of Audit urges DSSOPT to safeguard public funds

Rosario’s troubled lands

The Commision of Audit (CA) criticized the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) for its lack of commitment in planning for the construction of government buildings, which caused around MOP5 billion to be paid out in rental and renovation works.
The CA stated that between 2004 and 2014, 68 public services that rented facilities and parking spaces clocked up a surprising MOP4 billion while the renovation works for the permanent spaces was undertaken for  MOP1.03 billion.
Describing the amount of money spent on government buildings as staggering, the commission said the situation is “quite rare internationally.”
The commission stressed that they already pointed out the problem in 2006 when they urged the government to find permanent spaces for its services.
However, after over six years, construction of permanent public facilities has not yet commenced. The CA thus implied that there is an absence of ‘logical justification’ for the continuation of the status quo.
Between 2012 and 2014 the Chief Executive reviewed two proposals regarding the substantial fees the government covers annually on the rental of its public services.
The proposals, which were presented by the Financial Services Bureau (DSF), were then forwarded to DSSOPT, however the department said there were no lands available for constructing office buildings.
According to the CA, since  then DSSOPT  has suggested that new reclaimed lands should be used, but the proposals were archived.
The commission also noted that DSSOPT “has revealed it did not exercise its legal obligations by not practicing the necessary steps for the resolution of the public services installations.”
In response to the CA’s criticism of the bureau, DSSOPT issued a statement on Wednesday implying that the reclaimed land was reserved for the construction of public housing in line with the Secretary for Transport and Public Works’ previous announcements.
Although the bureau admitted they recognize the importance of the CA report and will follow up necessary works, it noted that respective departments are conducting a study on urban development to create an overall plan.
In the meantime, DSSPOT has indicated that they are following up on the construction of buildings, namely the new facilities of the Court of First Instance (TJB), Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA), the Public Prosecutions Office and the police department site in Taipa.
It noted that it is has been making efforts to build more facilities for public services, as per the government request.