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Local contractor warns Gov't against Chinese on airport project

- said West Indian labour force has been serving the territory well & they shouldn't be pushed out in favour of the Chinese
Local contractor Wesley Penn from East End is urging government not to shut him and other local contractors out of the intended works for the expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport in favour of the Chinese. Photo: VINO
He was speaking on Thursday May 26, 2016 at the conclusion of a meeting of concerned contractors who felt the need to voice their concerns regarding a number of issues which they felt needed addressing urgently. This meeting took place at the End End/Long Look Community Centre. Photo: VINO
He was speaking on Thursday May 26, 2016 at the conclusion of a meeting of concerned contractors who felt the need to voice their concerns regarding a number of issues which they felt needed addressing urgently. This meeting took place at the End End/Long Look Community Centre. Photo: VINO
Our newsroom was told by our senior National Democratic Party (NDP) sources that two companies made the final list on the 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. Photo: VINO
Our newsroom was told by our senior National Democratic Party (NDP) sources that two companies made the final list on the 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. Photo: VINO
EAST END/LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI - A contractor from East End is urging government not to shut them out of the intended works for the expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport runway in favour of the Chinese.

He was speaking on Thursday May 26, 2016 at the conclusion of a meeting of concerned contractors who felt the need to voice their concerns regarding a number of issues they felt needed addressing urgently. This meeting took place at the End End/Long Look Community Centre.

Our newsroom was told by our senior National Democratic Party (NDP) sources that two companies made the final list on the 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.

“We don't want the Chinese...we don't need the Chinese. When the Chinese come they come to take over,” said local contractor Wesley Penn during an interview with this news site.

Government not listening

He said, according to his information, the Chinese contractor has already submitted a list of all that is required and how the contracting firm proposes to supply what is needed for the project. It is understood that even building materials will be sourced from outside the territory should the chinese win the contract to design and expand the airport runway.

“What I know is that the Chinese are not good for us because everywhere they go they leave a stain...we prefer to deal with places like Canada but my government is not listening.”

Penn said there is a labour force from the West Indian community that has been taking care of the territory’s construction needs and this could be placed in jeopardy if the Chinese are allowed to do the airport project.

Asked whether they as contractors have the capacity to do a project on the scale of the airport upgrade, the contractor said many of the contractors have joint ventures with other overseas firms with that capacity.

“Some of them already bid as a joint venture,” Penn said referring to the airport project.

“We are trying to get a group of contractors together to move forward on letting the government know how we feel and where we stand,” he said.

Penn, however, noted that the contractors individually have been voicing their concerns to government on the dangers of allowing the Chinese on the airport project.

46 Responses to “Local contractor warns Gov't against Chinese on airport project”

  • Vision (31/05/2016, 08:02) Like (47) Dislike (7) Reply
    no Chinese at all, look how they taken over Jamaica .no dealing with Chinese for they don't support us in any ways .
    • Local (31/05/2016, 22:04) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well the locals don't truly support us either as they too dam* thief. A lot of them belong in jail for the bad work they do and the high costs they charge. Can we call this real support?
  • wize up (31/05/2016, 08:19) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    school children saying that the Chinese bidders also have local affiliates inclusive of government ministers
  • huping (31/05/2016, 08:37) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    I going to be waving a Chinese flag when the come to take over.Came to st kitts..never left...Jamaica..never left...Africa never left...they will out compete the locals here in everything from fishing to supermarkets.I have to laugh when you go to these places and at first evertbody like chinny this
    • @huping nonsense (31/05/2016, 16:26) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      @huping. You talking nonsense. Where do live. The locals got their prices sky high. Like they Want to be millionaires in a year. The Chinese brought competition and brought prices down... St Kitts is doing very well with Chinese. Never hear a living home kittitian complain..
  • Music (31/05/2016, 08:37) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    Contractor from East End? He lives at Palestina. How do we know the Chinese will bring in their own labour and not use local contractors? Have we all read the tender proposals?
    • Hmm (31/05/2016, 11:44) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
      Do you even know where Paleestina is?
      • Music (31/05/2016, 14:30) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
        Well I live at Nanny Cay and know him and his neighbours on all sides. Why do you call it "Paleestina"? I didn't.
  • Local Commentator without a silly name (31/05/2016, 08:47) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
    It is a much better idea to use the local builders, especially those with all that airport construction experience, to build the new airport. It is not fair to say that they are trying to rip us off - they only want an extra $50m - that is only 33% more than the Chinese bod of $150m. Food stores in the BVI rip us off for more than that percentage everyday.

    I am also worried that if we let the Chinese in - then where will it stop. Mr Edmund Maduro may be very vexed if they interfere with his constitutional right to do laundry in the BVI.
  • Always Voted NDP (31/05/2016, 08:54) Like (17) Dislike (9) Reply
    No Chinese, China is the pale horse in the bible and when the black horse steps down they will take over. They are only coming to our shores to learn our customs for little to nothing then the bomb will drop. You ever heard about BRIC (Brazil, Russia , India and China) confederate do your research they are now BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) to take over the world. Our government is to caught up in themselves and isn't thinking on the impact these decision will caused to our country later on.

    China makes their Prefab out of garbage- do your research, our health issues will be rated high once using the services or working in this airport, if the Chinese build the airport. This will also be a great burden on our new implemented NHI. Instead of this country making good decisions to go uphill, we are making decisions to go down hill. What happens to what our forefathers thought us

    Honorables please negotiate with common sense and while keeping your country at heart
    • Pale Rider (31/05/2016, 11:10) Like (23) Dislike (6) Reply
      BRIC(S)...what a joke by the dude whom coined this. Abject failures - look at Brazil's economy rite now! Russia is not fairing any better and China GDP has slowed and s in a freeze. Your Iphone, Lenovo and all other consumer electronics along with other items are made in CHINA!! So so long as we get our contractual agreements nailed down air tight with iron-clad specifications tied to international standards - then we should be fine even with our mediocre government minders. Remember though - culturally the Chinese engage in kick-backs built into the bids! So local contractors will get their share albeit less to go around. The horses are already circling the wagons....
    • hey (05/06/2016, 09:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hey Always Voted NDP, It is always good to say keep country at heart when you tell them behind the scene to only keep East End and only NDP Soldiers at heart. The Government need to say if they using local contractors or not. They need to say what the Chinese proposed. They need to say what Autley, Dion Stoutt and their Partner proposed. Then again they dont need to do anything and just make a decision. If the Chinese then stipulate they hire local contractors. If Dion Stoutt of ADC then they need to hire local contractors from all over. Government just go with the best deal and just make sure who ever it is, hire our local people. Simple
  • james (31/05/2016, 08:55) Like (24) Dislike (4) Reply
    Look at what's going on in Dominica. NO CHINESE!!! Caribbean leaders please pay attention.
    • DA (31/05/2016, 10:40) Like (27) Dislike (3) Reply
      James you are so right when the project is completed they put up two lion herd that is their God. Go to Roseau Dominica look at the bridge two lion heads on the entrance and two on the exit. And don't forget they play unfair to get what you have. They have put out most of the nationals out of business and rented the space to put up their cheap stores selling crap at low prices because they are not good. Chinese don't play fair and worst of all they don't ever leave if anything you just keep seeing more of their flat faces coming in your country. They don't support anything local, and before you know it babies are being born. Read some history about them in America in the early days. A bunch of leaches they will suck a country dry to advance their own agenda. God be with the B.V.I. Can you spell slavery well that is what you will have. One more thing they dont employ local. They come with their whole clan with all kind of false document like birth papers saying they are younger than they really are. When they want them to be in your school system when they done twenty five years old think them nice.
      • @DA (31/05/2016, 20:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        The BVI culture and quality of life has been degraded and downgraded by those who came and stayed and breed and have false documents much like what you are suggesting will happen, if the Chinese arrive. For gods sake they are coming to build an airport. why are you assuming that they will stay? But if they did, would theyand their descendants clog the judicial system and prisons? Would our educational system go downhill ? I think not.Crime is the forerunner to a decrease or absence of tourism and investments. If the BVI needs expats to build, then we need expats who do not have a predisposition to committing crimes and expats who have a high regard for education.
        Asians fit both categories.
  • ccc (31/05/2016, 09:16) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    good for you Mr. Penn let the NDP kill ayo as you help put them in
  • Ya me born (31/05/2016, 09:24) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    Why all this aversion towards the Chinese.I mean after over 400 yrs of colonial rule we are afraid to venture out from master' s bosom?We have to start acting like adults here people or else there's little hope for us moving forward
  • wake up (31/05/2016, 09:34) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ya'll THINK any of those bids will remain at those amounts ?! We JUST saw what happened with the Pier Park, yet we believe those bids are legit. WAKE UP people of the Virgin Islands. Ya'll sleep! As far as the Chinese go, it's simple, they just want to get their foot in the door. Push come to shove, WHEN we run out of funds in the middle of that project; guess who will OFFER to give us a LOAN for the remaining amount needed for completion... Yes, the Chinese themselves! And if we fall for that trap, guess what... We as a people, as a territory, will be to their mercy until that debt is paid back [only GOD knows when] with interest I'm sure. Mr. Penn said they "will leave a stain"... I don't even think they will leave. They did that high-way for JA which was completed and their still there, getting ready to start a next project. This needs to be totally avoided. Cause once we're in, we're in.
  • bullhead (31/05/2016, 09:52) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    ayo think ronnie and the cuban will listen?
  • THE ACCOUNTANT (31/05/2016, 10:45) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    We are here discussing who should get the contract. The fact of the matter is there should be NO contract as this project is not viable and would be the final nail in our coffin. Pickering needs to concentrate on getting the sewage off the roads in East End and Long Look. By the time Dr. Smith comes out of his slumber it may be too late.
  • Bernie Sanders (31/05/2016, 11:42) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the BVI Government is responsible for the money then the people should have a say.If the Chinese ,Japanese ,Mccalpine putting up the money to develop then the people have no say..This Government can't be trusted ,they tell more lies in one sentence than ten sentences this Deal will be the end of the NDP Stay Tune ,none of these companies never built a run way yet ,so it will be interesting to see the out come..
  • trrefdrfds (31/05/2016, 12:06) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    They don't got to listen to us because trust me when there time come no one will be listening to them either, next election is heart attack nuff of them will be getting
  • spoil fish (31/05/2016, 12:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    but I thought we had a Chinese minister you mean they love the Chinese only when they can bring in cheap no good items?
  • Mental chains (31/05/2016, 12:21) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    “What I know is that the Chinese are not good for us because everywhere they go they leave a stain...we prefer to deal with places like Canada". In other words, Mr. Penn, we are not bright to hold the tricky Chinese to a signed contract? And the Canadians are nice people and will never take advantage of poor us?

    By the way, is that a Chinese-made cap you are wearing?
  • Tax Payer (31/05/2016, 13:43) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    the only thing I care about is having the project completed on time and within budget. these huge projects invite corruption where local companies are involved. we need look no further than the cruise ship port development.
  • AHEM (31/05/2016, 14:33) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
    Came back from Antigua and the Chinese have a stronghold on the fishing industry... you can't seem to buy lobster from the local fishermen. Why? Because the Chinese told the fishermen that as soon as they come in, they will buy all of their daily catch which they send to China to be sold as a delicacy. So now, the fishermen don't have to go to the market or even by the roadside to sell them. As a result, the price for lcoal lobster has gone up due to the scarcity.
    • wow (31/05/2016, 20:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      AHEM did you take any kind of course in Marketing, Economics or Business Law...even at High School level, that you can make a statement like that? So are the Antigua lobster fishermen better or worse off? You said Lobster was a luxury item...so should Antigua lobster fisherman lower (or try to lower) their price? Or should they raise them even higher?

      Answer to questions: I wish I was an Antigua lobster fisherman.
    • Bahamas (01/06/2016, 22:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The very same thing is happening in the Bahamas. It's crazy. apartheid was a chipping away
  • Vau 4 Money. (31/05/2016, 14:59) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    Locals been playing this government and politicians for fools for too long. They will get $45 million more than the chinses the give us an unfinished or poorly finished project...there are lots of example around...
  • Be careful but Trump coming (31/05/2016, 15:54) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
    Chinese too aggressive and greedy- and they have a different set of values - that is why I voting Trump to give them a boot up the backside
  • yes (31/05/2016, 16:40) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    keep the pressure on the doc
  • Ah So (31/05/2016, 20:08) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The Chinese government likes to torture people. How can they be bad? The big Canadian companies like to play God
    with people, how can they be bad either? Oh well, nuke both, be safe.
  • oh ohhh (31/05/2016, 20:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    but he worked on the last airport project

  • Hummmmm (31/05/2016, 22:51) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    This will be a Game changer I the 7th district.
  • wow (01/06/2016, 04:34) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Fahie warned ya'll but no one listened. Now the thing start. Watch as it all unfold. This government cant be trusted. Smith fast asleep, before you know it. Walwyn will be premier and his constituents will be chinese.
  • Pot fish (01/06/2016, 05:16) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Smith what is really going on under your watch. do you realize your strong whole is up in smoke not a good sign so far for you, Would the (NDP) last it four years

    Pico boy it look like you lost your touch with your people who next from your area will be on you, school children say they is a uprising coming your way, you have to be so careful in your decision making pico lord help him.
    • wize up (01/06/2016, 07:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ pot fish: at most pico will lost his bid for the next election: these guys have set themselves up while holding government positions so when the dark day arrive they have no financial problems: let say homeboy goes with his Chinese counterparts then looses his 7 district seat he still set from the overflow!!!!!...
  • Yo (01/06/2016, 05:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the Chinese have the technology to do so
  • lollol (01/06/2016, 06:14) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    The different between Fraser and Pico to good friend who will both get rejected by the general population. Fraser already get his own but Pico own it is on it’s way
    One create jobs for his people and one create good talk for his people
    When it comes to the # 3 man hate him or like him he look out for see cow bay’s
    When it comes to the # 7 man he look out for his self he self don’t look out for the people who put there self in a line of fire for him, very selfish man
  • chad (01/06/2016, 08:52) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    wow look how talking one of they own that mean .
  • Mr. Cline Peer Park (01/06/2016, 11:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I mess up big time.. give the Chinese the job to do they all the better one.. the job will get done.. no money will get stolen from that airport project.
  • old (01/06/2016, 20:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    we need chinese the money will not get stolen that man dont now a thing about airport
  • Eagle Eye (01/06/2016, 20:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Isn't this same Chinese company on the world Bank Blacklist, tell me what is this government really doing don't they do there research or they will be getting kick backs so it don't matter, more to come people
  • Well Sir (02/06/2016, 06:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    it does not matter the NDP will soon be history they are so full of sh** 1999 will soon reply it self stick and stay don't go away

    People has being hurt so much in this country, by the so call (N D P) isn't a thing they can come out and tell you at this point

  • tretretrete (03/06/2016, 12:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The local contractors are too greedy. They are nasty and they are not professionals. They over charge on EVERY project, and they keep raping the country just like the people they put in power. Some of them build houses on hills looking down on the tax payers they keep ripping off who can't even afford to go to the super markets to feed their children.
    They complaining, I for one don't feel sorry for them. Bunch of GREEDY people. Every job they do cost at least three million more than estimated cost. You people have to understand that you cannot take it to the grave with you. Stop being greedy.


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