Wednesday, October 17, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY – A statement from the office of the governor:
“Governor Fallin asked for an audit of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority (NACEA) earlier this year to help decide the best way to move this American Indian Cultural Center and Museum project forward.
The audit makes it clear that the NACEA needs to be operated more efficiently and effectively than it has been in the past. There are many factors that have lead to these outcomes and the delays in the project’s completion have in turn wasted taxpayer resources due to increased materials costs, as well as delaying the generation of revenue.
However, with the addition of new leadership last year, Governor Fallin feels the NACEA has begun to correct many of the issues addressed in the audit.
Moving forward, it is important for the Legislature, NACEA leadership and all stakeholders to work together to ensure that this project, which the state began seven years ago, is completed and can open as quickly as possible to attracting visitors and earning revenue.
The governor continues to feel that a half built facility on prime location that taxpayers are still paying for is a wasted opportunity to enhance tourism and economic development. The state needs to look at all possible ways to complete it.”
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