January 2018 with final cost of P7 281 369 – half-way into the lease period. The rental paid during this period was P1 834 450 without beneficial occupation. 

The main cause of the delay in the actual partitioning were attributable to the incompleteness of the building at the time of signing of the lease, and additional works which were not in the contractor’s original schedule: these included correction of the defective staircase, installation of glass façade in the first floor veranda, upgrading of power supply, UPS installation, rats extermination which came with the files from the old building. 

While the move from the old building was urgent, as indeed recommended by the Environmental Health Department inspectors, I do not consider that alone justified the lease of a building that was far from complete, and was to be occupied for only half of the lease period at such considerable cost in rental payments, especially as the Directorate had alternative, albeit temporary, accommodation. 

