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Forget local; Gov’t must protect the treasury first- Radio host

- Edmund G. Maduro baffled at the huge difference in bids for airport runway extension contract
With local contractors publicly expressing their concerns with reports that Government is leaning towards awarding the contract to design and expand the runway at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, local radio show host Edmund G. Maduro is not standing in their corner at this time, saying Government must protect the treasury first. Photo: VINO/File
Radio talk show host Edmund G. Maduro is baffled at the huge difference in bids for airport runway extension contract. Photo: VINO/File
Radio talk show host Edmund G. Maduro is baffled at the huge difference in bids for airport runway extension contract. Photo: VINO/File
According to Virgin Islands News Online’s sources, two companies made the final list on the airport runway extension project. Photo: VINO/File
According to Virgin Islands News Online’s sources, two companies made the final list on the airport runway extension project. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With local contractors publicly expressing their concerns with reports that Government is leaning towards awarding the contract to design and expand the runway at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport at Beef Island, one local radio show host is not standing in their corner at this time.

Speaking on his EGM Show on ZROD 103.7 FM on May 26, 2016, Mr Maduro said he heard that local contractors are upset that Government is reportedly considering giving a Chinese firm the contract to design and expand the airport runway and that several contractors met with the Premier and previously with other Government members with supporting documents to show that the bid by the Chinese firm is not in the best interest of the territory.

According to Virgin Islands News Online’s sources, two companies made the final list on the airport runway extension project. They were China Communications Construction Company Ltd, and IDL Group, who merged with Sir Robert McAlpine Holdings and local partner ADC of the Virgin Islands.

The Chinese company has no local partner and it is expected that the Government of the Virgin Islands will seek its own funding for the project. Government also had given all companies the option of providing funding for the project in the design and build tender.

According to information received from our 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.

“What is this? How could the Chinese build this thing for $154m and the local people going to take $199M. Something is wrong. The Government particularly at this time must protect and defend the treasury, the public funds of the people,” Mr Maduro argued.

The talk show host added that if the bid by the company with the local partner was on par with the Chinese firm he could see their point of view.

“I can’t understand what is going on in this country. So because I am local you must pay me what I want? If the Chinese can do it for $154M why is the other firm with local connections charging $199M?”

Local contractors opposed to Chinese firm

Recently, businessman and contractor Mandinka M. Crabbe called on Seventh District Representative, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering to stand up for the people who have elected him consistently since 1999.

Crabbe was also adamant that Dr Pickering cannot come to the community and speak about foreign contractors coming into the territory. “We don’t want to hear nothing about the Chinese...they are not good for the country...everywhere the Chinese go it’s a problem, look at Antigua, the project there start out at one thing and now the cost tripled,” he had stressed.

Another local contractor, Wesley Penn, said: “We don't want the Chinese...we don't need the Chinese. When the Chinese come they come to take over.”

16 Responses to “Forget local; Gov’t must protect the treasury first- Radio host”

  • Just saying.... (31/05/2016, 17:34) Like (1) Dislike (14) Reply
    Edmund is always on the wrong side of most issues
    • Hell Street (31/05/2016, 21:31) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      Truth. Just look at the local contractors record. The Port, the high school wall just to name a few, over price unfinished, I'm certain the Chinese would have given us finished projects for half the cost...its our greedy and selfish locals that have our economy sinking in quik sand.
    • HAHA (31/05/2016, 22:34) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      i not so sure that Edmund will support the bid by the mega chinese laundry company to set up here - they are saying that they can do the same job for 50% of what he charges. Govt are too afraid of backlash to let deal go ahead.
  • John (31/05/2016, 18:58) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    These people live here. No doubt their houses are already paid for, so their living expenses can be lower.
    The chinese will need to rent expensive housing. How is it then that their bid is 30% higher than the chinese? The thing to do is to adjust their bid to a more competitive value. The bid should be based on the cost of the project, not some random number out of thin air.

    This is a genreal problem I've seen in the VI, businesses do not know how to price their goods.
  • honor (31/05/2016, 21:25) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Edmund. Respect. You are so right on This one.
  • Mad Duro (31/05/2016, 21:41) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Who listen this idiot MAD uro. He crazy man
  • spoil fish (31/05/2016, 22:53) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    This one choke the NDP man them. Not even a peep out of them big mouth supporters on this one..
  • Tram (01/06/2016, 07:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Finally, I agree with Edmund.
  • wize up (01/06/2016, 07:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I you thinking those Chinese just showed up on the shores of this territory you are wrong: a group of locals inclusive of your politicians invited the Chinese to these British Virgin Islands and this invertation is done for financial reward...six of one; half dozen of the other because if the east end crew get the project or if the Chinese gets the project the overflow goes into the pockets of a selected few as usual...if you think the cruise project had ting to talk hold for the airport project
    • who cares (01/06/2016, 09:20) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I don't care who invited the Chinese if any did in fact which I doubt. To award a contract to one group for more than 50 million over another company that has proven that they can do their work is nothing but pure corruption. These is absolutely no justification for giving the contract to the higher bid, the money will never trickle down the majority of it will end up in Canada and the UK. We must spend 50 million more so that an few BVIlanders can get 5 million dollars and the rest go to the outside companies. BVI people really have no sense at all.
  • farmer brown (01/06/2016, 07:19) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    He is a hypocrite when he went against biwater not here supporting an outside company over the locals
  • To Treasury (01/06/2016, 08:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The NDP Government needs to pay local vendors what they are owing them for over a year before getting into any airport extension project. It is ridiculous. Locals provide services and goods and cannot get paid in a timely manner. Have you no conscience, NDP Government?
  • Outside the box (01/06/2016, 11:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Even if the local contractors are higher than the Chinese, the revenue would be spent locally.

    When you use an outside contractor, their salaries, cost of supplies, etc all LEAVE the country.

    Local contractors' salaries would stay and circulate in the BVI. More local supplies and local suppliers would benefit and the money would stay in our economy. Local contractors would use existing workers to execute their projects, while the Chinese would bring in cheap labour (8 people staying in one 2 bedroom apartment).

    We have to look beyond just the upfront figure of each bid and look at the secondary and tertiary benefits.

    There is national pride to be considered as well. That is invaluable.

    If we use the Chinese company then we dictate the level of employees they can bring in. For example only senior engineers and technicians, who can train and leave their expertise with the local counterparts. We can also mandate that no more than 20% of the total labour force be from China.

    We will only get what we negotiate for. But often times our government does not negotiate. They just take whatever the "big countries" or "big companies" dish out to us!
  • CIU (01/06/2016, 14:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Chinese want to bring their own equipment, materials and quarry rocks. They want land to build labour camps, bring food, and cooks. They don't want to pay payroll tax, Nhi, social security nor work permit fees. We not getting any of that money. That's why the price so much cheaper. The local company can be closer to the Chinese with the same consessions and efficiencies. Plus they going to hire local labour and subcontractors. The money going to circulate in our hardware and construction supply stores, apartment rentals, supermarkets, restaurants, car rentals, clothing stores, our whole economy. The Chinese taking all the money one time, the locals circulating some of the money several times. It's better for our economy to spend our money locally. The community in which you spend your money becomes richer. The community out of which you take your money becomes poorer. Economics 101.
    • Sure (01/06/2016, 22:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you use local trades why would apartment rentals increase they already live here. Why would supermarkets benefit, they already eat here, car rentals they already have cars, clothing they already have clothes. Bringing in people from outside may benefit these businesses but not if you use people already living here. Im not sure which is best, but cant believe some of the ridiculous discussion on here about it. $45 million saving, what could the local community do with that?
      I personally do not believe awarding the contract locally and paying $45 million more is wise. Where will that extra money come from?
      • CIU (02/06/2016, 07:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Its a large project and some labour will have to be imported. Some supplies will have to be bought here. And some of the profit will go to the local partners. The taxes, nhi, SS, work permit fees will go to our treasury. Also there is room for negotiation in the price. It won't be 45 million. The money spent in the economy will be beneficial. Unlike the Chinese where everything is taken out. Additionally it our money, it's our project and as much of the money as possible should be spent with us. My view.


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