Contractors storm NDP Caucus meeting; Want Airport Project to stay local!
It was yesterday August 16, 2016 that some 25 contractors, heavy equipment operators and other interested persons met with the National Democratic Party (NDP) caucus to again let their feelings known about the proposed runway expansion project.
Our newsroom had first and accurately reported a few months ago that two companies made the final list on the runway extension project. They were China Communications Construction Company Ltd, which has since obtained a local partner, and IDL Group, which merged with Sir Robert McAlpine Holdings and local partner ADC of the Virgin Islands.
Many contractors, most from the Seventh and Eighth Districts, when hearing the news a few months ago spoke out publicly against the Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) whose portfolio is the Airport.
Dr Pickering has said the project is a “done deal”.
According to information received from our NDP sources, China Communications Construction Company Ltd’s bid was approximately $154 Million and IDL Group, the Sir Robert McAlpine Holdings and local partner ADC bid, was reportedly $199 Million.
Meeting with contractors
At the meeting yesterday in the Premier’s Conference Room, the group of contractors and truckers insisted that the airport project must stay local and made several proposals to the Government on a way forward.
The Elected Members of the NDP listened attentively and is to get back to the contractors. Calls to some of the Seventh and Eighth District contractors and other persons with an interest in the project, who were at the meeting, were not returned and Government is tight-lipped about the meeting, the issues proposed and when they will get back to the contractors and heavy equipment operators on the items raised.
The Airport Runway Expansion Project has been mired in controversy. A media report showed the United Kingdom has serious issues with the project that were not made known to the public before the 2015 general elections.
Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith has claimed that the issues were addressed, however, has provided zero evidence to substantiate his statement to the public.
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34 Responses to “Contractors storm NDP Caucus meeting; Want Airport Project to stay local!”
I don’t usually get involved in civil warfare, but let me stop to say just how simply this could be handled. If BVI contractors are proven capable of carrying out any portion (s) of the project, why not give it to them, it’s plain common sense and economic movement for the territory.
If they are not capable of carrying out work they claim they can and the minister can prove this then let the people know and stop beating around the bush. The key here is to give as much of the project as possible to your people IF they are capable and stop playing games.
These greedy @$$ BVI contractors want to do every kind of work whether they are qualified to do the work or not, just to line their pockets. Just look at the shoddy workmanship carried out on the never ending sidewalk construction. The work is shabby, and the worst looking sidewalks I have seen in all my travels. Now these novices want to get the contract to expand the airport. What is sad is that NDP government continue to buckle to the pressure of these parasites and give them millions of dollars to do work that they are not qualified to do. Well we all know why this is happening. They have their hands under the table to get their share.