SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has deemed an audit office report on capital projects as ‘damning.’ He said the report unsurprisingly identifies major issues in the delivery of flagship projects West of the Bann including the A5 and A6.
He added that if anything should spur assembly members back to doing their work it should be this report on major capital projects which have either been delivered late or overrun costs.
Said the Foyle MLA: “This report is shocking by any standards and underlines the lack of oversight by elected representatives and the failure to adopt new models as has happened in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
“The report also makes clear the gross disparity in capital projects between Britain and Northern Ireland when there should have been a commitment to make up for the neglect of the past.
“That clearly wasn’t a priority for those who made the assembly unworkable.”
He added: “One of the documents completed during talks earlier this year, brought agreement on openness and transparency and that must be central to ensuring that reports of this nature from the Audit Office are a thing of the past.
“Every single pound spent on capital projects must be based on best practice and be fully accounted for.
“That won’t happen while members are not at Stormont and it certainly can’t happen without partnership, involving all parties, working effectively.”
Mr Durkan concluded: “There is a golden opportunity now for all of us to roll up our sleeves, burn the midnight oil and make this place a model for accountability and best practice.”
