INSPORTS saga continues - Locks changed as board looks to meet with key employees

Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) chairman Lloyd 'Bunny' Pommells underlines that several steps are being taken by his administration to correct issues raised in a recent Auditor General audit of the agency, while confirming a lock-changing incident at the organisation earlier this week.

The auditor general Pamela Monroe-Ellis raised concerns over the lack of proper controls and financial management at INSPORTS, a failure to implement standard operational procedures and irregular board meetings which she underlined, hampered the operations of the agency.

Pommells, who took control of the INSPORTS board in June 2016, after the audited period, which actually took place under the stewardship of former board chairman Don Anderson, noted that the agency has since improved in these areas, said that the board is determined to develop a culture of accountability and proper governance at the agency charged with recognising and developing grassroots talent in core sports.

Also, the locks to the Human Resources Department at INSPORTS were on Monday changed upon instructions by the board of directors, who had tried for weeks to gain access to employee files in its general assessment efforts.

This after a request to HR manager Audrey Villiers to present the files of key members of staff were not met after over a month of attempts.

LOCKS REPLACED

It is alleged that Villiers repeatedly told the board that the employees were on leave, but failed to provide specifics as it relates to their respect scheduled dates of return. The HR manager subsequently claimed to be on leave herself, further delaying the board's access to the files.

The Gleaner understands that a locksmith was then brought in on Monday and the locks to the department replaced.

Pommells, who would not go into the specifics behind the situation, did, however, confirm that the locks were in fact changed to secure access to the files.

"I wasn't on location, but I have been informed that in order to gain access to certain areas of the office; certain changes - certain locks had to be changed, and certain actions had to be taken to gain access to certain areas of the office I gather that has been done," Pommells said yesterday.

According to our sources, the files of senior accountant Andrew Wright, who is also a promoter of popular party series 'Chug It' and 'French Connection', along with Karita Davis, an executive secretary at the agency, were among those of interest to the board. However, the pair has not reported to the agency since the board's suspension of administrative director Ian Andrews in February, with claims that they are on leave - something the board had not been able to confirm without the requested files.

The Gleaner further understands that the board and its consultant, David Mais have been trying to meet with Wright as a key member of the management group, but have not been able to do so. They had also not been furnished with his file and those of other members of staff to determine employment status, leave entitlements, and so on.