Following a report from the Auditor General’s department chiding the Tourism Product Development Company, TPDCo, for lack of transparency, the entity says it has made steps to improve operations.
The Auditor General’s report, released this week, found that TPDCo did not adhere to its own recruitment policies, engaging staff without the requisite qualifications.
According to the report, the entity employed or promoted eight employees, including five at the executive level, who did not possess the minimum educational requirement.
This includes the entity’s Attractions Operations Manager, employed in 2015, and earning over 2-million dollars a year.
The post required a Diploma in Hotel Management, but the officer had only six CXCs.
The Auditor General’s report also found no evidence that the government’s guidelines were used for the procurement of a contract with the Sports Development Foundation in relation to the development of the Barrett Town community Centre.
The report says as a result, it could not conclude whether the bidding was competitive and whether approval was given.
In a statement yesterday, the TPDCo says it has acknowledged the performance audit of the Auditor General.
It says the issues raised in the report date back as far as 2014.
According to the TPDCo, it has brought on board a new Executive Human Resources Manager in the last two years to aid in improving operations, including conducting a fulsome review of hiring practices.
It’s seeking to assure members of the public, that the recommendations of the Auditor General’s report will be treated with the utmost priority.
