NParks corruptedly awarded contracts on $1.09 billion Gardens by the Bay

[Papsmearer]

NATIONAL PARKS BOARD

"The Auditor-General's Office's test-checks revealed a general lack of documentation, failure to obtain approval and laxity in control over contract variations by NParks in managing the development of the Gardens By The Bay project", which has an estimated total contract value of S$1.06 billion, the AGO said.

"Consequently, there was no assurance that NParks had not spent more funds than necessary."

One consultant was allowed to commence services before approval was obtained to call a tender in which only that consultant was invited to bid, for a project with a contract value of S$2.37 million, said the AGO. "By doing so, NParks had prematurely communicated to the consultant that it had intended to award the contract to the consultant."

NParks said it did so as it faced a tight timeline, and acknowledged that it should have highlighted to relevant authorities that more time was needed, and called an open tender instead.

The AGO also found that three consultancy services contracts with an estimated total value of S$20.77 million was awarded via waiver of competition, but without compelling reasons. Again, the tight timeline was cited, though no evidence was found to show this.

The AGO also took issue with the weak controls over contract variations in the Gardens By The Bay project.

In 43 instances, the AGO found that only a single quote was received for various projects, but there was no documentary evidence of the assessment of whether the quotes were reasonable. In 45 cases, approval were obtained only after the work had been carried out or completed. And in 12 instances, no evidence was found of approval for variation work even though payment had been made.

NParks said that these variations were mainly "specialist sub-consultancy studies" which had to be carried out due to the complexity of the project; to minimise such future occurrences, NParks said it would incorporate such studies in the main tenders instead. It has also implemented a computerised contract variation system to better track approvals of such contracts.

 

[ginfreely]

Wow total contract value 1 billion also handled in such slipshod manner with no proper documentation, approval and "laxity in control". Still not considered "major lapses"?

 

[winnipegjets]

They call the AGO to do a special audit on WP TC, using expensive partners from PWC, for a paltry amount.

$1 billion lapses and the PAP tiam tiam.

 

[Unrepented]

This shows that they don't know fuck about what the project requires, more like fire fighting, possibly lead by the nose, and use public money to cover their backside just by completing the project.

I think they learn from YoooG

Please prepare Tanto for Jiu hu kia.

NATIONAL PARKS BOARD

...........In 45 cases, approval were obtained only after the work had been carried out or completed.

And in 12 instances, no evidence was found of approval for variation work even though payment had been made.

NParks said that these variations were mainly "specialist sub-consultancy studies" which had to be carried out due to the complexity of the project; ..........

 

[songsongjurong]

do they audit temasek,GIC,CPF,PMO?



AGO senior management team

Auditor-General Willie Tan (front row, right), Deputy Auditor-General Low Jin Kwan (front row, left), Assistant Auditor-General Rina Chua (back row, left), Assistant Auditor-General Ng Wee Leng (back row, middle) and Assistant Auditor-General Mabel Watt (back row, right)

 

[melzp]

When that shortie(u know who) announced that Gardens was 1 Billion;
I already smell rats.

 

[Unrepented]

Must independent then effective:o Now like someone just wanted to wack the cow.

do they audit temasek,GIC,CPF,PMO?

 

[Confuseous]

They call the AGO to do a special audit on WP TC, using expensive partners from PWC, for a paltry amount.

$1 billion lapses and the PAP tiam tiam.

Every mother and his dog dressed in white are keeping their big mouths shut.

Everybody act blur and hope the winds will blow away.

No principles, no soul, no fcuking sense of decency.

 

[Dark Knight]

The project was first budgeted at $893 million in 2006. In 2009, approval was obtained to raise it to $1.035 billion.
Cost millions to maintain it annually, do we need such a huge white elephant?

http://sbr.com.sg/leisure-entertainment/news/how-huge-it-costs-gardens-bay-keep-operating


This is how huge it costs for Gardens by the Bay to keep operating

Government eyes shouldering 50% of its outdoor gardens' operating costs.

In a written response by the Ministry of National Development to questions submitted my Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, the annual operating cost for the Gardens is estimated to be $53 million, of which $28 million is for operating the two Conservatories, and the remaining $25 million, for the outdoor gardens.

Here's more from MND:

The Government will subsidise half of the cost of operating the outdoor gardens. The rest of the operating cost, including for the two Conservatories, will be recovered through admission fees, commercial rentals, carparking charges and corporate sponsorships.

The accounts are still being finalised but the final cost of developing the Gardens by the Bay will be within the approved budget of $1.035 billion.

The budget does not include the cost of land, but it includes the cost of creating the supporting infrastructure, such as a major access road (Marina Gardens Drive), the drainage works to channel surface run-off from the Marina Bay Downtown into the Marina Reservoir (via a lake and a subterranean canal) and the cost of soil improvement works to strengthen the reclaimed site.

The project was first budgeted at $893 million in 2006. In 2009, approval was obtained to raise it to $1.035 billion, to accommodate the sharp rise in construction cost during the construction boom period of 2006 to 2008. Unforeseen difficult site conditions, together with technological and construction complexity of the Gardens, also contributed to the additional costs.

The National Parks Board (NParks) took active steps to manage the costs down. For example, the Conservatories were reduced in size, and the number of Super Trees was halved from 36 to 18.

Like the Singapore Botanic Gardens, there is no entrance fee for most of the Gardens by the Bay. This is unlike other top gardens around the world. For the Conservatories, a suite of ticket concessions is available to ensure that all Singaporeans will find it inexpensive to make multiple repeat visits.

Singaporeans have warmed up to the Gardens by the Bay, which has attracted more than 1.7 million visitors since its opening in June this year. Many have told us that they intend to return regularly.

 

[Cerebral]

The project was first budgeted at $893 million in 2006. In 2009, approval was obtained to raise it to $1.035 billion.
Cost millions to maintain it annually, do we need such a huge white elephant?

http://sbr.com.sg/leisure-entertainment/news/how-huge-it-costs-gardens-bay-keep-operating

This is how huge it costs for Gardens by the Bay to keep operating

Government eyes shouldering 50% of its outdoor gardens' operating costs.

In a written response by the Ministry of National Development to questions submitted my Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, the annual operating cost for the Gardens is estimated to be $53 million, of which $28 million is for operating the two Conservatories, and the remaining $25 million, for the outdoor gardens.

Here's more from MND:

The Government will subsidise half of the cost of operating the outdoor gardens. The rest of the operating cost, including for the two Conservatories, will be recovered through admission fees, commercial rentals, carparking charges and corporate sponsorships.

The accounts are still being finalised but the final cost of developing the Gardens by the Bay will be within the approved budget of $1.035 billion.

The budget does not include the cost of land, but it includes the cost of creating the supporting infrastructure, such as a major access road (Marina Gardens Drive), the drainage works to channel surface run-off from the Marina Bay Downtown into the Marina Reservoir (via a lake and a subterranean canal) and the cost of soil improvement works to strengthen the reclaimed site.

The project was first budgeted at $893 million in 2006. In 2009, approval was obtained to raise it to $1.035 billion, to accommodate the sharp rise in construction cost during the construction boom period of 2006 to 2008. Unforeseen difficult site conditions, together with technological and construction complexity of the Gardens, also contributed to the additional costs.

The National Parks Board (NParks) took active steps to manage the costs down. For example, the Conservatories were reduced in size, and the number of Super Trees was halved from 36 to 18.

Like the Singapore Botanic Gardens, there is no entrance fee for most of the Gardens by the Bay. This is unlike other top gardens around the world. For the Conservatories, a suite of ticket concessions is available to ensure that all Singaporeans will find it inexpensive to make multiple repeat visits.

Singaporeans have warmed up to the Gardens by the Bay, which has attracted more than 1.7 million visitors since its opening in June this year. Many have told us that they intend to return regularly.

If the park attracted 1.7m only, how many of those paid money to go to the conservatory????

 

[virus]

If the park attracted 1.7m only, how many of those paid money to go to the conservatory????

i dont mind go there if i can pee over singapore.

 

[laksaboy]

Like the Singapore Botanic Gardens, there is no entrance fee for most of the Gardens by the Bay. This is unlike other top gardens around the world. For the Conservatories, a suite of ticket concessions is available to ensure that all Singaporeans will find it inexpensive to make multiple repeat visits.

Boo hoo, you lack monetizing options for your vanity project.

The Gardens by the Bay is an extremely 'fake' and ugly garden. In fact, I am using the word 'garden' very loosely.

A more appropriate description would be a theme park with a nature theme, with various pay gates within it.

By the way, look out for another upcoming development in East Coast Park... it's another NParks project. That's the location of the former McDonald's. Expect grandiosity and little substance.

 

[virus]

i dont care if it is fake.... as long as there are suckers who wants to be my friend and give me $1 or $10 mil for doing nothing.

 

[frenchbriefs]

[video=youtube_share;SuFScoO4tb0]http://youtu.be/SuFScoO4tb0[/video]

 

[Dark Knight]

Price of tickets not cheap even for locals.
Not likely to have repeat customers.
In the long run, it's not even going to break even with such a high maintenance cost.

 

[laksaboy]

View attachment 22511

Price of tickets not cheap even for locals.
Not likely to have repeat customers.
In the long run, it's not even going to break even with such a high maintenance cost.

They usually do business with tour groups and schools or companies which are having an outing/excursion.

 

[eatshitndie]

If the park attracted 1.7m only, how many of those paid money to go to the conservatory????

everytime i cum in sg i make it a point to contribute $28 to the 2 conservatories and $5 to the national orchid garden at botanical gardens. orgasms there are much more shiok. they have far better value than paying $69 for a chicken at geylang. all sinkie uncles show know that.

 

[frenchbriefs]

monetize the vanity project?if making money was the goal of the garden by the bay it could not have failed more miserably or picked a worse project or business idea to begin with.the billion dollars could have been put to better use if we just gave it to the joker to set it on fire.

the only viable solution is to leave it to rot and decay like detriot city to remind us that somewhere someplace in the universe there is a place where bad ideas go and die and that is the garden by the bay.

 

[johnny333]

Why the fuss about a billion+ a year

It must be peanuts to Ho Ching. By the time we find out the actual amount of losses made by Temasek she will probably have run road.
The 60% must be damn stupid to vote for a party which runs a sovereign fund like their own personal piggy bank.

 

[Semaj2357]

everytime i cum in sg i make it a point to contribute $28 to the 2 conservatories and $5 to the national orchid garden at botanical gardens. orgasms there are much more shiok. they have far better value than paying $69 for a chicken at geylang. all sinkie uncles show know that.

variety, being the "spice" of love / life is abundant in "geyland" - in that different botanical species are displayed in full bloom for the sinkie uncles to unleash their conserved liquids and to sow their seeds. some uncles consider it a value-add when they discover there's also lush vegetation whilst watering the plants