Henry O. Creque alleges unfair treatment in bid process by BVIEC
Further, Mr Creque alleged that his company was denied a bid package from BVIEC and its consultants and suggested his company was treated unfairly in the process.
Chairman of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), Mrs Rosemary Flax, during a press conference on July 17, 2020, announced that Power52, a company based in the United States of America (USA), was awarded the contract and that it had supplied the lowest cost in its bid.
Ms Flax had also said 5 companies had submitted bids, namely Advanced Solar Products, MAN-HEG, Power52, Tugliq and Virtual Engineers.
Interestingly, Mr Creque had stated in a press release back in April 2020, that his company, along with another local company, aTec BVI, had teamed up with international developers BMR Energy owned by Richard C.N. Branson’s Virgin Group and Advanced Solar Products of New Jersey, USA, to “present a very attractive and competitive bid” for the Project.
‘Project was outside scope of local expertise’- Leroy A. E. Abraham
And while entertaining questions from the media at the same press conference, Mr Abraham, responding to a question from radio reporter Zan Lewis, had said no local companies submitted bids for the renewable energy project on Anegada.
“From what was said, it seemed as though you didn’t have any local companies submitting proposals. I am correct in saying that?” Mr Lewis asked.
Mr Abraham responded: “Yes, you are correct.”
Mr Lewis had also asked if anyone who previously worked at BVIEC had submitted a proposal or shown an interest in the project.
“Zan, just ask your question so I can understand it so I can answer it adequately,” Mr Abraham had replied.
Mr Lewis then asked if “anyone locally” had shown an interest in the Anegada project.
“There were some local interests in the project as it was advertised locally. Based on the scope and extent of the project I think the project is outside the scope of local expertise, so therein lies the reason most of the participants with regards to the tendering process were large entities outside of the BVI, because the project scope is quite sizeable,’ Mr Abraham had responded.
Unfair treatment?
In a press release by Mr Creque on July 26, 2020, the former BVIEC Deputy Manager and political candidate in the February 2019 elections, said local firms Creque’s Engineering Services and aTec BVI were proud to have participated in the tender process for the Anegada Solar Plus Storage Project for BVIEC.
“Contrary to responses of the Corporation’s General Manager, Mr Leroy Abraham, to a series of questions posed by the media at a recent press conference, we are very pleased to advise that our group of firms, which consisted of three BVI companies out of four, did indeed tender for this firstever utility scale solar project in the British Virgin Islands.”
Mr Creque said this fact was made clear in their proposal’s cover letter, throughout the entire document, and in all post-bid correspondences between their project team, BVIEC and their consultants.
“We were therefore perplexed when Mr Abraham indicated that there were no local companies that submitted proposals.”
Further, Mr Creque alleged that based on the summary report published in the media, the bids were very competitive and his team, the majority VI group, were a mere 1.35% higher than the cheapest turnkey price tendered.
“We were however informed that our team was the most experienced and qualified out of four submitting bidders. This too is contrary to the statements repeatedly being made by Mr Abraham.
“In addition to statements made in the local media, when responding to pre-bid questions about the availability of local labour, Mr Abraham formally advised international bidders only that low-skilled labour and machinery should be sourced from local resources.”
Mr Creque, in his press release, continued to suggest that the bidding process was not a fair one and that his company was thrown at a disadvantage.
“Further, BVIEC and their consultants refused to provide Creque’s Engineering with a bid package, claiming that we were not qualified to receive one, although no details of minimum qualifications had been included in the tender advertisement.”
Mr Abraham said it was somewhat puzzling and disappointing to hear Mr Abraham deny that there was local participation in the bidding process.
Concerns
“Every government administration in the history of this Territory, dating back to the late Hon H. L. Stoutt, has always verbalised an unswerving commitment to the development of local, BVI based companies and workers, and remarks of that nature could only serve to undermine the development of local enterprises. We therefore wish to set this matter straight immediately.”
Mr Creque then stated that his team has a number of concerns pertaining to the administration of the process by the BVI Electricity Corporation.
Another proposal submitted to BVIEC- Henry O. Creque
The local businessman noted; however, that “in spite of, and as a result of that fact” his company fully intends to continue its pursuit to transform the energy sector in the Virgin Islands and to pursue accountability, fairness and transparency throughout this and future processes.
Mr Creque then disclosed that his team has also submitted a proposal for a 10 megawatt solar installation at a location on Tortola.
He said the project proposal was submitted on March 6, 2020, in response to the Premier’s Statement on February 24, 2020 titled “Building the Energy Sector”.
“This installation would actually supply BVIEC’s main power grid with even more clean energy than the Anegada initiative. The project would also bring numerous benefits to various stakeholders in the Territory, but we are particularly excited that it would create a significant number of new jobs at a time when Tourism and other sectors are facing the many notable challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Mr Creque said that, should BVIEC accept his team’s offer, the project would be accomplished without placing a burden on Government’s or BVIEC’s purses.
“Our team also wishes to express our great appreciation for the many expressions of support received to date,” Mr Creque concluded.
See related article below:
Henry O. Creque among bidders for Anegada Hybrid Renewable Energy Project
.png)
Follow Us On
12 Responses to “Henry O. Creque alleges unfair treatment in bid process by BVIEC”
Mr Creque, thanks for repping the VI so masterfully in your bid. Your star will rise.
After the hurricanes of 2017 it was Henry every body war seeing when they were ready for current.****** mind bad a long time since the days of Leon Wheatley
I sent a comment on the other news site but they too bias to post it. I have one simple question....did Creque"s Engineering submit a bid or did Creque's Engineering join with a US company and that US company submit a bid? Like It is quite clear if the latter is the case Henry needs to stop trying to make his lies a reality. Abraham was correct in his response to the question No local BVI companies sent in bids.
We need to admit that this area will hold the bvI back with corruption. It is absolutely unforgivable how far behind we are in energy independence and L***** spinning lies and deceit to cover his interests