Chinese Tender unearthed! Cost of Airport Project could double by completion
Dr Smith had confirmed that China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Ltd was chosen by his Administration over another company that had a local partner to extend the runway at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.
Hon Fraser, in a follow up question on the same date, asked if there were any giveaways to the Chinese company in exchange for such a low bid of 153 million United States Dollars. To which Dr Smith replied “no” and that the cost that we see is the cost we will get. In fact, Dr Smith went on to state “no concessions are being negotiated by his Government.”
Another lie by Dr Smith; Cost could triple
This has turned out to be another LIE in keeping with his government’s practice of misleading the House of Assembly (HoA), the public and the media.
Tender documents submitted to the Ministry of Finance last year and obtained from our usual senior National Democratic Party (NDP) sources show that the way the agreement is written the cost could double, if not triple by the end of the runway extension project.
For example, the price quoted by CCCC includes “the Design and Build cost of the Project, excluding the design for the runway embankment structure……”
The conditions of the price quote of $153M are subject to truthful information provided by Government. The original tender document states “for the avoidance of doubt, CCCC shall not be responsible for the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any data related to sub-face, geotechnical, topographic and hydrological conditions provided by the Client. Thus, we reserve the right to revise our quoted price should further study show significant different from previously provided data.”
In other words, many see this as a loop hole to raise the cost of the project.
More freebees
In addition, there are indeed giveaways. For example, “Land for temporary structures which include, but is not limited to, a site office, camp, storage yard, precast yard, concrete and asphalt batching plants, site for disposal, parking areas etc., should be made available to the contractor free of charge,” according to the letter written to Government.
CCCC, according to the information, stated that their quotation is “under the exemption from duty, which excludes customs duty, VAT, income tax and so on,” the letter reads.
Our newsroom is awaiting a copy of the final document that will be inked by Premier Smith in the coming days and we will bring it to our readers.
Support for project slipping
There is growing opposition inside the ruling NDP Government mainly because it had local companies, who in partnership with overseas conglomerates, could have done this project and allow the government loan to circulate in the country.
There are reports that two rebel Ministers did not support the project in Cabinet. They are reported to be Hons Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and Myron V Walwyn (AL). There are also claims that three Backbenchers are not supporting the project and could vote against the loan funding when it comes to the HoA.
Many have also said the $150M loan could max out the Overseas Territory’s borrowing ceiling for the next 3 to 5 years, not allowing any new government to execute any major capital project.
See Tender document below:
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66 Responses to “Chinese Tender unearthed! Cost of Airport Project could double by completion”
TIME TO PROTEST!
NDP has wasted enough of our hard earned tax dollars. We must clamp down on them now, before they sink us ALL in deeper debts where we can never recover from - for generations to come.
We must stand together against them now - and STOP them from themselves.
Time to Stand-UP! RISE-UP! OUR MIGHTY PEOPLE!
I will await the final document but I am sure the only difference would be more perks for CCCC. In the meantime I am in the process of finalizing a letter to my district rep and some at- large reps that I will forward this weekend, but I doubt that would do much. The time for talking and blogging is past us people we need action. I ready to march! I on board! We need to organize a meeting.
BTW big up VINO leaks as in the absence of the freedom of information act and a Government in the darkness we are very dependent on these leaks.
#$@&*....Doc you that #$#&* stupid. So the land that our fore fathers gained through sweat, blood, and tears and the right to be a black man is no longer relevant. You set of over educated fools just handing it over to your rich white friends and now the Chinnese. When you finish giving out our water front beach properties, telling lies about the Pier Park and now this bull shit. Like dammmm
This is a POOR CONTRACT and again WE GAVE AWAY THE STORE. They are coming here because they want to. WE are in the DRIVERS SEAT. WE CAN WRITE THE RULES. GIVE AWAY AGAIN.
I would like the Government to speak to us frankly on the project, so we can make our own objective assessments.
Unfortunately I do not believe that we are getting the whole truth, but someone obviously does not want to see this runway extended. I wonder who stands to gain from that?!
After the runway is extended the terms were not in the BVI favor.
All these forces (LS and her friends) do nothing to build the BVI
The issue is not the demands that were made by CCCC which I understand is part and parcel of a project this magnitude. The issue is that when the Premier was asked in the HOA if they were any giveaways he said no. They will construct a camp which would house their workers, the bid cost is exempt of duty, the possibility of a lower cost if land is made available tot hem to mine material. He even added that the cost that we see is the cost we will get which btw was a ridiculous statement based on precedent and now with this proposal we see that there is a likelihood of overruns.
" To which Dr Smith replied “no” and that the cost that we see is the cost we will get. In fact, Dr Smith went on to state “no concessions are being negotiated by his Government.”
We were misled with Pier Park and that was a financial disaster in terms of overruns and it is not even complete. We need transparency with the details. Doc must come clean with the people as we cannot continue to be led blindly over the precipice. Come to the public to get their input before you sign away our birthrights. Show us the contract before you sign.
Trying something? This is not the time to try something based on guess and hope, you need to at first be transparent and clear with the people and get a variety of input going forward. You need to act on sound and thorough research and due diligence, not conjecture and wishful thinking. The last time we tried something we screwed up the Pier Park so we should just pray and hope they don't screw up this project??
Here is an option. They already invested 7 million in BVI Airways why not allow that to materialize and use that as a case study for the potential for direct flights to the mainland. In the meantime subsidize ferry services to increase their ferry schedules and reliability. Invest more money into a comprehensive restructuring of our water pipe systems, roads, electricity, medical and education systems. That can help to stimulate the economy.
http://www.insightcrime.org/news-analysis/how-brazil-odebrecht-laundered-bribe-money
The FSC will not tell you anything either the Financial investigative agency is a waste of time too. This stupid non transparent bill they voting on Monday is so terrible. Here's a government which continues their no transparency regime. We must vote to get rid of any legislator who vote to keep the public blindfolded. They now have a grip on the Financial services commission:
http://www.bvibeacon.com/1/index.php/news-articles-2/2411-january-12-2017/business-jan-12-2017/9562-bill-would-allow-secret-fsc-penalties
I thought the said they were going to negotiate?
Have they done this yet?