A new special investigative unit is to be established in the Office of the Contractor General (OCG). The three-member team will be hired when the OCG moves to a more spacious location, later in the year.

This was confirmed yesterday when Contractor General Greg Christie appeared before the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament. It was disclosed that approval had been granted and money advanced for the recruitment of 18 additional members of staff for the OCG, including the three special investigators.

The special investigators will be in addition to the existing complement of 12 inspectors, who are engaged in the monitoring of contracts.

The OCG has two main functions. One is to routinely monitor the implementation of government contracts; the other, to carry out special contract-related investigations where the need arises.