$3m spent on Government consultants

FRIDAY, MARCH 9: More than $3 million has been spent on consultants to Government in less than a year, figures released today revealed.

A total of 15 consultants from overseas were paid $2.14 million, while eight Bermudian consultants got more than $1 million in fees.

The overseas fees went to consultants from the UK, Canada, Europe, the US and the Caribbean between April last year and February.

The information was provided to MPs after Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards tabled a parliamentary question on the subject.

Among the biggest expenditures was $566,060 to a US firm for software, computer consulting, support and training, which included updates to the Customs automated processing system.

Two other US firms got $284,000 and $242,496 respectively or consulting services to Premier and Finance Minister Paula Cox on economic, financial and tax policy advice, and “professional services to the Ministry of Finance on legislation and public policy issues/strategies.”

Bermuda-based accountants Pricewaterhouse Coopers were paid $287,975 for professional services on Government programmes and for helping to establish the project management and procurement office.

And IBM Bermuda was paid $224,481 for software development and testing for the Customs automated processing system.