SENIOR staff of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) advised against the relocation of the Ministry to a refurbished motel at Ranadi, according to the latest revelation surrounding the unfolding MRD relocation saga.

The revelation contradicts comments attributed to the MRD Minister, Jimson Tanangada in a statement issued on 7th May 2017.

In it, Mr Tanangada was quoted as saying, “the newly-built office at Ranadi, identified by a specially selected Ministerial Committee on its suitability to accommodate the entire MRD staff, proper parking space, proper storage space for materials and equipment for constituency projects, its closeness to major project suppliers and service providers and its modern setting and safety standards.”

“Besides, a proper inspection by relevant officials has been conducted and the building was certified prior to the MRD occupation,” the Minister was quoted as saying.

Mr Tanangada acknowledged the concerns over the increase in rentals but said his officials had made budgetary allocations to meet the cost this year.

Under the tenancy deal, taxpayers will fork out $245, 000 a month or $2, 940, 000 a year in rental payment for the building, the statement issued by the Government Communications Unit, said.

The Minister who was spotted driving a brand new hilux in recent weeks had downplayed suspicions of corrupt dealings, saying anyone who is not satisfied with his explanation should direct their concerns to police or the courts.

Insiders familiar with the arrangement said the proposed move to Ranadi was “clearly advised against by some senior staff for three obvious reasons.”

• The building was purpose-built for a motel rather than an office setting and a conducive working environment;
• There was no budget allocated to cater for the increase rental cost this year; and
• The building is in an industrial area with health and other associated health and physical risks to the public and government officers.

The sources also said there was no Office relocation committee, which allegedly recommended the relocation.

“The Office relocation committee never made any recommendation for the MRD to relocate to the Cheng-owned building. In fact the said Committee was never an active one nor actively pursued the option to move immediately as claimed by the former Permanent Secretary,” the sources said.

“The claim by former Permanent Secretary, Selina Boso that an Office relocation Committee was responsible for moving MRD to the Cheng-owned motel building in Ranadi was incorrect,” the sources said.

“… there was no written report or recommendation from the Committee as Ms Boso might want the public to imply which can show as evidence that the committee she referred (to) made the decision for relocation.”