July 20, 1999
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July 20, 1999 |
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Controversy rocks PIOJ
Lynford Simpson, Freelance Writer
A PLANNED month-end redundancy and relocation exercise by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is dogged by controversy as staff, fearful of losing their jobs, have accused its director-general, Dr. Wesley Hughes, of mismanagement. Questions have also been raised as to whether the brand new eight-storey building located on Grenada Way in New Kingston, that will become the PIOJ's new home, has breached the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation's (KSAC) building code. Additionally, PIOJ workers have expressed concern that thousands of US dollars will be spent to furnish the new offices at a time when their jobs are on the line. They also claim that the Institute's management is guilty of not doing enough to cut its "lavish lifestyle", pointing out that $800,000 was spent to maintain the vehicles of seven directors for the financial year 1998/99. Dr. Hughes has confirmed that the PIOJ is to be relocated from Ocean Boulevard, downtown Kingston, to New Kingston by month end. However, he said this would only happen by the end of July if the Ministry of Finance comes up with the money to fund the redundancy exercise. Cost-cutting measures aside, Dr. Hughes said the staff-cuts would be necessary because ofthe smaller office space, also aimed at saving money. He told The Gleaner final figures were yet to be decided and denied that 80 staff members are to lose their jobs. Regarding the controversial building on Grenada Way, built by the late Dixie Adams, The Gleaner has been informed that plans were approved for a six-storey structure, but eight-storeys were built. Dr. Hughes said he was not aware of a building breach but pointed to a problem with parking. Efforts by The Gleaner to contact city engineer, Patrick Aitcheson, at the KSAC have been unsuccessful. The PIOJ will be the first tenants in the Grenada Way building, occupying the first two-and-a-half floors covering 30,000 square feet. This is 10,000 square feet less than the 40,000 square feet now occupied by the PIOJ at its Ocean Boulevard location. During his interview with The Gleaner, Dr. Hughes kept saying, "I knew this was going to happen." "People were just trying to tarnish the reputation of the PIOJ because they feel they are going to lose their jobs." In terms of the money being spent to acquire new furnishings, the director-general said, "I knew that this was going to be the tactic of certain people so we made sure we followed every rule step by step. We went through a normal procedure, I have nothing to hide." He added, "I am well aware of the game plan that is in place, people have figured they will lose their jobs and this is a way to try and dirty up the exercise." He disclosed that US$37,650 is being spent to provide new furnishings but explained this had become necessary since the smaller office space required smaller furnishings. He said the PIOJ was using the concept of open offices recommended by the Orane Report. The PIOJ currently pays rent of $1.5 million per annum, and the PIOJ boss explained that rental for the new premises will be $1.3 million per annum fixed for three years. |
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