Gov’t prepares to fork out $20K a month to clear out CGB pump stations. Photo: VINO/File

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool, (R4), was put through the paces by Second District Representative, Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull, aka ‘Mitch,’ (pictured here) when the House of Assembly (HoA) met yesterday, January 15, 2019. Photo: VINO/File

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool, (R4), said in order to “mitigate against the pollution of the roadways and beach at Cane Garden Bay, the Ministry of Communications and Works engaged a private contractor to pump the sewage stations by truck, as needed.” Photo: VINO/File

The company is said to be selected following a bidding process, where K&K was found to be the ‘lowest qualified bidder.’

This, according, to Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool, (R4), who was put through the paces by Second District Representative, Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull, aka ‘Mitch,’ when the House of Assembly (HoA) met yesterday, January 15, 2019.

Measures & Cost

The D2 Representative had enquired of the Minister, “what measures have been taken to ensure that sewerage does not run on the roadways and pollute the beach in Cane Garden Bay and cause it to be closed like it was in October of 2017.”

He also queried enquired on “what is the contractual agreement signed between the contractor(s) and the Ministry of Communications and Works for the pumping and removal of sewerage in Cane Garden Bay?”

The former National Democratic Party (NDP) Member of government, who defected to the opposition benches recently, was informed by Honourable Vanterpool, that in order to “mitigate against the pollution of the roadways and beach at Cane Garden Bay, the Ministry of Communications and Works engaged a private contractor to pump the sewage stations by truck, as needed.”

Lowest Qualified Bidder

He stated that given the cost implications that resulted and, “in line with the Public Finance Management Regulations 2005, the Ministry obtained proposals from qualified contractors to submit bids for the ongoing pumping services, until a long-term solution is implemented.”

He informed Members of the House, that the Ministry of Communications and Works was notified of a decision by the Cabinet, to award a contract to the lowest qualified bidder, in the name of K&K Heavy Equipment and Sewerage Disposal Service.

One-Year

This contract, he said, was for a period not to exceed 12 months, at a monthly total also not to exceed $19,920.00.   

According to Hon Vanterpool, “it is expected that the pumping will take place in line with the instructions of the Director of Water and Sewage, in accordance with Cabinet’s decision.”

He told the House however, a contract is not in place yet… It is being processed for the amount of $19,920 monthly for a period of one year.”

As it relates to the amount of days for the contractor to clear out the stations, Minister Vanterpool informed the House, this “will be flexible, depending on the number of stations to be pumped on a regular basis…This is being finalized.”