Official whose report cleared Rowley quits HDC

The managing director of the state-owned Housing Development Corporation (HDSC) has resigned. Margaret Chow is one of the people who wrote a report to the Uff commission of enquiry into the construction sector and UDeCOTT which cleared former cabinet minister Dr Keith Rowley of any wrongdoing while he was housing minister.

The HDC report filed with the commission on January 21 cleared Rowley of allegations made by Prim e Minister Patrick Manning of a missing $10 million in the Cleaver Heights housing project. The report noted that clerical errors led to the confusion about the money.

But the current housing minister was upset about the report and publicly criticized the HDC staff for its report. Dr Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde said the report contained "inconsistent and inaccurate
information" and submitted her own report a week later.

The minister's report revealed an impasse with Chow over the the HDC document sent to the enquiry regarding certain critical details that were not included in the document.

Chow is the latest casualty in the matter. Cabinet decided last week to fire the entire HDC board with the exception of chairman Andrew Mc Intosh.

Chow was appointed acting managing director in July 2008 five years after joining the organization. She served as divisional manager of the HDC estate management division until her acting appointment.