Gov’t must explain how it’s financing JGHS project
Johann Moxam writes: The legacy of mismanagement by former Minister of Education (2005-09) and now Premier Alden McLaughlin (2013-21) will feature many chapters on project mismanagement and his government’s penchant towards initiating institutional or infrastructural projects without the ability to manage them. This determination to build big shiny structures or black shiny roads regardless of the need or the costs or the alternatives says everything about how the country has been and is currently being run. Minister of Finance Roy McTaggart is a good man and highly respected, but he is not a magician.
The recent proceedings of the Finance Committee included a full set of minutes on the finances of various capital projects. All were over budget by varying millions, some single-digit millions and others tens of millions. New projects are one thing, but the reported financial situation with the John Gray High School merits a closer look.
The John Gray High School project was first started under the 2005-2009 PPM administration with Mr McLaughlin as Minister of Education and Mr Kurt Tibbetts as Leader of Government Business. See links below:
High Schools get OK (Cayman Compass, 5 July 2007)
Schools contractor slams PPM (Cayman Compass, 18 November 2009)
PPM: Things will get better (Cayman Compass, 14 September 2009)
High school project to restart in June (CNS, 23 March 2016)
UK architects say they won $40M JGHS contract (CNS, 16 January 2020)
In this country we have become numb to political rhetoric, abuse of parliamentary privilege and misinformation by our leaders. We are too accepting of excuses from elected leaders and senior civil servants. We fail to appreciate that if we don’t demand openness and transparency, if we don’t hold the elected members of the Legislative Assembly to account for their decisions and spending, they are doing more harm than good, and it will ultimately impact each household, which will be forced pay for MLAs’ irresponsible spending. Without accountability and transparency, there is waste, millions of dollars of waste, and possibly conflicts of interest.
In the case of John Gray, there is no denying that new and improved facilities are needed. However, the procurement and management of the long overdue project is the issue. There are a few questions that must be asked and for which the public must demand answers:
- How can the resumption of the not-so-new John Gray High School cost KYD106M in 2020? What is the breakdown of the spend? How much of this KYD106M is due to the fact that both PPM-led coalitions did nothing with the site from 2013 until now? (In comparison Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M.)
- What lessons were learned from the failures and fiasco with Clifton Hunter? How have they been applied to benefit this project? Has the current government really learnt any lessons from the costly construction of the Clifton Hunter High School, which cost over KYD100M?
- How has this been allowed to happen again?
- Was there a competitive bidding process for all phases of the project or was McAlpine just awarded the construction contract?
- In light of the cost overruns associated with airport redevelopment project that was managed by the Ministry of Tourism, how was McAlpine awarded another major capital works project, given the ongoing concerns and results?
- Expensive buildings do not guarantee a quality education. What else is the CIG doing to improve education in the Cayman Islands?
I ask these questions out of genuine concern as a citizen who fears the worst for our financial and societal future. Beyond the overspending and waste, which is fiscally irresponsible under any circumstances, the CIG owes the public an explanation as to where it will get the revenues to pay for these projects? Where is the money coming from to pay for the continued relief payments, full salaries for all civil servants and financing for small- and medium-sized businesses, given the current economic woes and deficit position the CIG public purse finds itself in at present?
It is imperative to note that this same administration, the PPM-led coalition Government of National Unity, has agreed to surrender possibly hundreds of millions of dollars in current and future revenue by granting untold amounts in concessions via an ad hoc politicised process in multiple development agreements, which, when asked by the leader of opposition, Minister Joseph Hew deemed to be “confidential” or “commercially sensitive information“ that could not be shared in the Legislative Assembly or with the public.
Development deals to remain secret (CNS, 29 June 2020)
How can they ignore the reality that CIG has lost the majority of the KYD37M in annual tourism revenues due to COVID-19? CIG has not announced any new revenue measures. Therefore, how can CIG afford all of these opulent projects and expenses going forward without having to further tax the current population with duty increases and fee increases? Who is going to pay for these massive expenditures? Is it going to result in more fees and higher duties for existing businesses, particularly in the financial services industry that now represents over 65% of the GDP? It cannot be. That would be reckless and result in dire consequences for industry going forward.
Fiscal mismanagement, poor decisions and signing bad deals will accelerate the inevitable introduction of some form of direct taxation. Cayman’s tax neutral status is what makes us a premium offshore destination. However, if this status is compromised due to mismanagement, then, like death, direct taxation is inevitable. If we continue on this path, it will alter how Cayman operates and impact our ability to remain self-sufficient and not be desperate to be bailed out by wealthier benefactors, including the UK. These actions will potentially drive the Cayman Islands towards independence and a fate similar to many of our regional neighbours.
The government must have the answers and information available to share with the public. We must demand transparency, accountability and good governance standards on all matters. The public must request from our elected government that the current administration and Cabinet present evidence of the ‘magical hectares of money trees’ that they have kept hidden from the public, or specifically how the public purse will pay for these projects. Maybe they know how they are going to pay for it, but the public has the right to know and to know now, not after the 2021 election.
Poor decisions that may be driven by the quest for political survival going into the 2021 election season will impact the quality of life for all. This will inevitably drive up the cost of living and the cost of doing business, as well as increase crime and safety concerns as one half of the people living here may become desperate to survive in one of the most expensive countries in the world.
I support a world class education system for the Cayman Islands and all of its citizens. However, I have yet to be convinced that expensive buildings costing over KYD100M guarantees academic success and a world class education system for all.
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Category: Education, Government Finance, Local News, Politics, Viewpoint
So the big question is how much longer will Caymanians rule themselves before the UK must take over and will they wait until all the money is gone or try to save something? My own small opinion is that CIG will run it full blast right up to the edge of the cliff and then start to cry and yell for help as they go over. Caymanians without access to other peoples money. How will they make their own? How will they pay the only thing they own? Their debt.
what annual operating costs are?
Appropriate for an unconstitutional government
J. Moxam’s queries are pertinent and need to be properly answered. Perhaps the more alarming part of them is this question, which must be asked about the apparently still impending Beach Bay project as well as others:
‘It is imperative to note that this same administration, the PPM-led coalition Government of National Unity, has agreed to surrender possibly hundreds of millions of dollars in current and future revenue by granting untold amounts in concessions via an ad hoc politicised process in multiple development agreements, which, when asked by the leader of opposition, Minister Joseph Hew deemed to be “confidential” or “commercially sensitive information“ that could not be shared in the Legislative Assembly or with the public.’
But what is just as alarming for me is the question, still unanswered, that I have asked already about the constitutional legality of the present government. Surely if nobody much cares about this question. wouldn’t the resulting masters not think they can pretty much do anything they want, regardless of process?
The question?
Simply, Why after the 2017 General
election was s.49(3) of the Cayman Islands Constitution blatantly ignored, with the then Governor declaring a government was formed before the required ballot was held?
THAT was the coup.
Due to the unfortunate fact that most voters aren’t analytical, or forward thinking, the entire country will suffer. This same swath of electors will keep returning the same useless bunch.
Das why politicians won’t fix education. Keep people dumb
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
His money so spend tightly controlled. CHHS/JGHS – your money so CIG doesn’t give a damn.
Excellent viewpoint.
The Government should be forced to do a line by line response before they spend any more money on this project
True, people sick and tired of these “Unity” politicians blatantly taking out of the public cookie jar to grab for themselves and their exclusive club of oligarchs and wannabe dictators. I am no longer accepting ‘soon come’ promises and I.O.U. gift vouchers that come a day late and a dollar short.
I can’t buy no groceries with dat!! Tired man!
Why is it that everything that helps caymanian children and young people is a bad thing. We complain about building a world class school for our children and we complain about the Regiment which has over 40 young caymanians enlisted.
Complain about the lack of succession planning in the financial services industry.
Perhaps the writer can tell us how many caymanians he has trained.
The JGHS is estimated to cost $160 MILLION
Buildings are nice but do not guarantee results. 80% of public school graduates are not getting passing grades. That is more important than any building costing $160,000,000.00 MILLION
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
Dart built the new CIS high school for $60M
Let that sink in…
Concrete and nice paint don’t give children skills, proper teaching faculty and learning resources do.
I am sorry, but your contract will not be renewed.
The only difference between expat students and Cymanian students is their upbringing, their culture.
Put them both in the same class and who will prosper and who will continually fail? Why? From my point of view the kids who have been brought up to work within the system, get a job they want to do will do well. The ones who have been brought up to not trust the system, not trust hard work, and not trust anyone (especially teachers) will continue to fail. Don’t blame the school unless you are looking for an easy out.
The Regiment has cost – so far – $1.4 million, and provides occasional and part time payment to those Caymanians. For the $35000 a head you could have given them scholarships, put them through trade schools, sponsored employers to give them jobs – instead of teaching them how to march and salute the Governor.
Diction, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence construction all spot on. This Moxam laddie never went to a government school!
He went to Cayman Islands High School just like the rest of us
11.27 Well they must have broke the mould after that boy left!
And what has happened to the education system since then???????
We moved away from GCSE is what happened…
We had to move to Caribbean exams, trying to please the African diaspora forgetting if it’s not broken leave it alone! Students are taking the easier CXC subjects, sitting exams from year 10 and taking ‘second part’ i.e. the advanced level of main subjects like Maths and English. The a level system was removed from public schools to increase attendance at UCCI.
Return to British system in high schools including A’levels in public schools and leave the American and Caribbean options to private sector. UCCI is now becoming a normal and competitive option for stdudents so time to put English system including A’levels back in public schools.
Thanks Roy and Truman.
Was(is) he Pro-Port or agains Port project?
where did he stand on LGBT issue?
https://caymannewsservice.com/2018/08/cayman-islands-cruise-port/
he supported the referendum
That doesn’t answer the question
Are you serious?
https://caymannewsservice.com/2020/08/cpr-turns-to-governor-to-secure-fair-port-vote/
Johann Moxam was one of the leaders of CPR.
They are they reason the project was stopped. All of them should be thanked by govt. Shirley Roulstone should be given a MBE for her service to Cayman.
Submit Shirley’s name for a Cayman gong.
That will really p|$$ Alden off.
I hope and pray Johan and Shirley are part of the next Gov. We need true leadership from Caymanians who care about Cayman.
Make Cayman great again Johan. YOU GOT MY VOTE!!!
To 8.43pm Neither of those two care more about Cayman than the 19 members currently in the LA. That is just your attempt to promote them and disparage others. Obviously you want them in the LA for your own selfish reasons. Neither of them has shown an interest or effort to seriously advance the quality of life for Caymanians. All that they have done so far is supported a very popular referendum movement. Opposing is easy . Where it gets tough is when you have to propose and produce. I have yet to see any thing that Moxam did for Caymanians when he was president of the Chamber of Commerce. His usual theme was to take the expat view of things and suggest that unemployed Caymanians shou8ld go to work in fast food restaurants as if there was no one capable or able to hold a more prestigious position.
Based on your comments you do not know Johann that much is clear but every one is entitled to their opinions
I have my doubts too. He is a great talker and I really do support almost all he has stated publicly and would be very tempted to support him.
However, his participation as President of the Chamber of Commerce shows me where he will likely lean on most matters and I personally prefer and desire leaders in 2021 to be able to focus on impact of business rather than catering to business.
Also, if you review his videos on election night 2013 or around that period he did state (not verbatim) that all candidates will say everything we want to hear to get elected, so if he runs I will hold those views to be very telling.
Lets hope that if we do elect new people in 2021, they are not just a bunch of new EGOS….though that may be ridiculously impossible since we are talking about politics.
What about the Dump?
Johann for Premier
Now this is the cold hard truth!
We will never get answers. If they cant even account for the millions in revenue spent now from indirect taxes, how will they possibly be able to do so with any newly introduced direct taxes such as property or income?
But as far as overruns- heres the basic problem (my 2 cents from being in the construction industry for the past 30 years) How any contractor, general or sub, makes its money is by signing on a contract where half the information is either missing or not established (and the contractor knows it). Boils down to pathetic design and development. Decisions, additions and solutions are being made DURING construction, outside of budget and way beyond contingencies. Thats NOT TO SAY anything we’re seeing is acceptable or the norm (100% over budget – really???) as Im sure theres always a little deal here and there (and everywhere!)
An honest and insightful article on the reality in Cayman about how big decisions get made. It highlights the possible negative outcomes when there is no planning and transparency. These type of discussions and questions are necessary in helping to illustrate how accountability works and sets the table for a wider national discussion.
7. Why tropical design architects weren’t given preference in designing an energy efficient school?
Throughout the tropical island climates, energy demands are on the rise. Energy costs in tropics already higher due to geographic limitations and transportation issues
By incorporating energy improvements into construction or renovation plans, schools in tropics can significantly reduce energy consumption and costs. These savings can then be redirected to educational needs such as additional teachers, instructional materials, or new computers.
Few examples
*Shading strategies are vital for schools in tropics to reduce cooling costs.
*By orienting a school building effectively, you can maximize solar access and boost the effectiveness of daylighting strategies to reduce the need for electrical lighting and cooling loads. *Designing the site to reduce or eliminate vehicular travel to the school helps to reduce fuel use and emissions, which improve the air quality in and around the school.
* Water requirements can be reduced by incorporating vegetation native to the local ecosystem in the site design.
It is time to implement meaningful school fees. Government can’t be expected to continue to finance the decisions of individuals to have children and to make those children a burden on the rest of society.
I hope you run against useless Joey Who.
Johan the man … don’t do a Austin once you get in. Can you run against Alden in red bay please . I am hoping someone decent shows up in Red Bay ballot.
Johan doesn’t have Austin’s rap sheet.
BOOM. Johann you need to be leading this country.
Aha johnan leading this country ? You think Alden and Mckeever are bad check his dictator napoleonistic attitude.
Yeah Emperor Johann reign we will be going to hell in a crab basket. Oh Johann don’t be offended . I know you like to have one and ones as if. My name is of no consequence Iah but 50 votes in the area surely have a serious sting. Oh I already have your number sah don’t need it again.
Moxam has proven himself to be a born leader. He is the type of man that can be trusted to say and do the right things. He has done more than current mla’s and clearly states his position.
He was president of the chamber of commerce….name ONE thing he actually did (not spoke about or blamed government for)? Johann grabs favour by saying the right things but can you name one actual event, or venture or community effort he spear headed which was for the benefit of this country?
Yes, he was involved with CPR but he didnt do the heavy lifting. Shirley Roulstone and Katrina Jurn did.
You have no clue what you are talking about. Those of us involved know who was involved and leading our group concerned citizens. Cpr was truly a team effort that made history.
Hate has blinded you like the dark side of the force. You have no clue what you are talking about but carry on as it is your nature
7.42 Need to have a look at the drug problem too. Step away from the bong mate.
Cut the Trump foolishness! I saw that sly attempt at intimidating people voting! For your benefit, I hope you don’t find any more tools in that trick box, because the only number you going have is the one at your jail cell.
What you need is the number of an english language grammar teacher so you can learn to spell correctly.
None of this matters to the higher ups, be they elected or administrative. As long as Government’s coffers overflow (current deficits are to be ignored) the reckless overspending on vanity projects will continue.
Never in the history of public administration has so little been achieved with so much.
Well said. I just drove on a newly resurfaced south sound road tonight. I wondered why all that expenditure. Then I remembered an election was coming….
NRA needs fix the dump road . It is a joke.
Yet they will let roads like the one in front of Cayman water deteriorate to the point where it’s basically useless. I understand it’s a private road that belongs to Cayman water but surely they must have to fix it if not for the local residents that live nearby then for the larger group of us who have to use it to service homes in that area. SMH
Well said Mr. Moxam
A real leader has emerged that I can put my hopes in and will vote for in 2021
Are these the same ones that were frothing at the mouth to build a $300 million port? Wonder why!
Do you even know what CPR stands for?
Government was going to handout million dollar taxpayer gift cards to build the port without asking permission while we all were supposed to foot the bill!
I don’t know about you but my CUC bill is high enough!!! Not going to pay somebody else’s too, much less for their brand new yacht!!
CPR=cardiopulmonary resuscitation
I elected DNR and DNI.
AMEN Johann AMEN. “Straight talk causes no falling out”
Good questions. Good luck getting answers.
We have repeatedly elected corrupt officials. They will not come clean else they walk into jail. So… we elected them, our fault.
Will we do better the next election cycle… Sadly I expect not.
I have little faith in our electorate and candidates. Please prove me wrong.
7.36pm Pity you supported them by voting for them . You are just as corrupt. I have not voted for one politician while at the same time believing they were corrupt. If you know they are corrupt then expose them. If you don’t expose it then you support it. FYI I don’t believe that any of the 19 Caymanians currently in the house are corrupt. I know some out there are pushing the narrative that all Caymanian politicians are corrupt and that we should replace them by allowing expats to hold office; but if we do that then “Dog eat owa suppa”. Since these expats can’t run for office they are supporting Caymanians who think like them.
Where do I sign up to vote for this man? He is a beacon of light in the political darkness.
We need more than just him. Can he recruit a full slate of well educated like thinkers to form a new party that can form and lead the next government? If not he will continue to just be a voice crying out in the wilderness of Cayman corruption.
The next government will be a coalition government. We need a strong group of pro-Caymanian thinkers and leaders like Johan in the LA. Caymanians do not trust the parties for good reasons
He has done more than the official opposition. More independents will be elected in 2021 and they will work together. The ppm and udp joined forces and look at their mess so parties are not the best answer. Electing quality representation people like Johan will be the key for Cayman’s future.
Has he stated yet that he is standing for election?
He too fraid
We need more than opposition and independents. We have seen what happens when independents try to form a Government. Each pursues their special interest and compromises their principles to get it done. No, we need a strong slate of like minded candidates campaigning together for a common well articulated goal.
All independent candidates should be asked or state for the record if they will be jump to help the numbers of another PPM/UDP coalition if elected. We cannot have this horse trading happen again.
Mic drop!!!!!!!! Enfuego just smoked all of em
Rubbish. Try build something and then report back to us.
Rubbish to you too. Who the hell is “us”?