Former Minister of Works Neko Grant said yesterday he found the findings of the auditor general's report into the Urban Renewal Commission's Small Home Repair (SHR) program "disturbing, unacceptable and disgraceful".

According to the report, there is a "lack of accountability, transparency and due diligence in the execution of the program, its management and the quality of work done". It also revealed that contractors were not required to have proof of all-risk insurance and that 11 contractors were paid $171,000 for work that was either incomplete or not done at all.

Grant said the report merely highlights that there is a "culture of unaccountability" within the government.

"It is unacceptable for this sort of behavior to take place in a modern Bahamas," said Grant when called for comment.

"It's sad. It is unacceptable, and the Bahamian people deserve an explanation for what has transpired. A person who has been given a government contract of that magnitude should have a proven track record of performance and ability to get the job done."

According to the report, one contractor was paid $30,000 to repair a home that the auditor later found was abandoned. The report notes that repairs to the home were not completed.

"That is disturbing and the technical officers who signed off or approved payments need to provide some answers," Grant said. "How do you sign off on a contract for $30,000 and there is no proof of the work being done? That is a fraudulent act and reason for prosecution. There is no question about that. That's disgraceful."

The Ministry of Works has also come under scrutiny after it was revealed that the male dorm of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) which was destroyed by fire in January was not insured. Works Minister Philip Brave Davis revealed that the contract was executed with only an insurance quote and not the mandatory all-risk insurance.

Urban Renewal Co-Chair Algernon Allen did not wish to comment on the auditor general's report into the Small Home Repairs program yesterday. The commission is scheduled to hold a press conference on the program this morning. When The Guardian contacted Allen, he said he was walking into a meeting "with all persons concerned" with the program.

"I would wish to address it in full tomorrow (Tuesday)," he said.

The report lists a litany of issues discovered in the issuance of contracts, contractor requirements and the lack of a competitive bidding process associated with the program.

"On reviewing business licenses of contractors who were awarded contracts in phase one, we noted that, in most instances, the licenses were granted just prior to the award of the contracts and that the nature of business generally indicated on the license was usually general maintenance or landscaping services," the report says. "Based on the information provided, we were unable to attest to their technical competency as it relates to building construction."

Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said yesterday criminal charges should be brought against those who abused government funds.

"If individuals have done wrong they will be appropriately dealt with, even if it means bringing criminal charges," he said at his office on Parliament Street. That's the only way this Bahamas will change. We cannot just sweep things under the carpet."

Minnis said the Public Accounts Committee, which is investigating the Urban Renewal program, will ensure that someone will be made accountable.

"I have been in communication with the chairman (Hubert Chipman) and members of the PAC and I think The Bahamas will be very happy when they present their report," he said. "I don't want to preempt them, but from what they said to me I can assure you that we will make individuals accountable."

According to the audit, phase one of the SHR program, managed by the Urban Renewal Commission (URC), began in November 2013. A total of 312 homes were repaired during this phase at a cost of $3.2 million, the report says. The audit covers the period July 1, 2012 to September 30, 2014. The auditor general surveyed 75 homes for the audit.

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