Urban Renewal Commission Co-Chair Algernon Allen said he and members of the organization are eager to meet with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to finally bring matters to an end as it relates to the investigation into Urban Renewal’s Small Home Repairs Programme.

The co-chair is anxious for the September 17 meeting and said the members are elated to give an account for the work Urban Renewal has done.

After an audit report was leaked earlier this year concerning the Urban Renewal’s Small Home Repairs Programme, which was found to contain a number of discrepancies, the PAC has been pushing for an investigation into the matter.

Mr. Allen said he is anticipating the meeting with the PAC.

“We are more than happy that this torturous process is finally coming to a sensible conclusion,” he said.

“At the very beginning we concluded that the process was not properly grounded and was unconstitutional. Now that the constitution is brought in relation to this matter, we are happy to be a part of this constitutional exercise which will only strengthen the democracy.”

Mr. Allen says he is fairly hopeful that at the end of this entire process, the Urban Renewal Commission can continue to do its good work throughout the country.

He said the committee is calling for transparency and accountability and that is simply what he is prepared to give.

“We want to preserve the integrity of the process,” he said.

“We want at the end of this, a stronger country and a stronger Urban Renewal. We want a more disciplined approach to the work of all the parties whether the office of the auditor general, the office of the PAC and indeed the parliament of our country in relation to transparency and accountability of institutions in our country to the Bahamian people.”

Mr. Allen said he and Urban Renewal Co-Chair Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt are determined to refrain from allowing this matter to be politicized in any way.

“We have sought to keep this above the realm of politics,” he said.

“We do not wish for politics to spoil or contaminate the tremendous Christian work that Urban Renewal is doing so we are seeking to downplay some of the excessive rhetoric and inappropriate commentary that has been made in relation to Urban Renewal and in relation to all parties involved. We need to maintain the dignity and respect which will make it available to all Bahamians irrespective of politics or race. That is what we are about.”