Overview

The role of GOAC is to secure suitable office accommodation to meet the establishment and operational needs of all government agencies throughout the country. GOAC will also to formulate and review strategies and guidelines in relation to the planning provision and management of office accommodation for agencies.

The Chairman of GOAC is the person occupying the position of Chief Secretary to Government

Membership of the Committee is as follows:

• Chief Secretary to Government – Chairman;
• Secretary, Department of Treasury;
• Secretary, Department of Finance;
• Secretary, Department of Personnel Management;
• Secretary, Department of Works;
• Secretary, Department of Justice and Attorney General; and
• Secretary, Department of Lands and Physical Planning.

Department of Finance (GOAD) role in relation to office accommodation and GOAC involves:

1. Performance of GOAC’s secretariat function;
2. Research and make recommendations to GOAC regarding developing trends, benchmarking of workspace density allocations etc
3. Liaison as necessary between GOAC and relevant industry bodies, professional institutes and registration boards in fields such as valuation, architecture, building construction and structural engineering, legal, etc;
4. Development, review and monitoring of guidelines for the acquisition, construction, and occupancy of government owned office buildings;
5. Development, review and monitoring of guidelines for the procurement and occupancy of space in buildings leased from the private sector;
6. Development, review and implementation of standard government leasing documentation;
7. Negotiation and management of all leases in non-government-owned office buildings including rent reviews and ‘make good’ negotiations;
8. Submission for approval by GOAC of private sector leases;
9. Development and implementation of acquisition, refurbishment, rationalisation and disposal strategies for government owned office accommodation and office building assets;

GOAC’s terms of reference have been approved by NEC to be:

1. To examine and approve all new leases and to review all existing leases from time to time to ensure currency and pricing and efficiency of allocation according to establishment from time to time;
2. To acquire and build Government owned accommodation and refurbish existing Government office accommodation with a view to reducing the cost to Government of leased accommodation;
3. To examine building and cost proposals for new office development and recommend approval in principle for new leases;
4. To approve the movements of departments and Agencies in taking up the office space allocated to them and to utilise the office space in the most efficient manner;
5. To examine and approve the purchase of properties for all Government offices within funds appropriated; and
6. To co-ordinate and examine all submissions for Minor New Works regarding the upgrading and air conditioning of existing accommodation.
7. To research, conduct any necessary financial and feasibility studies, and prepare definitive reports on high level matters concerning office accommodation issues including portfolio level budgeting and forecasting, developing marketplace trends, climate and environmental topics affecting office buildings, manage legal queries;
8. To determine and make recommendations to NEC impacting on the overall strategic direction and approach for the ownership and management of the government’s office building portfolio consistent with government policy;
9. Provide technical advice to the Chairman.