Over $8M in no-bid consultancy contracts for 3 overseas companies
In the House of Assembly on May 11, 2017, after questions from Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), it was unearthed that just three overseas companies raked in over $8 Million of taxpayers' dollars without having to bid.
The Virgin Islands (VI) Public Finance Management Regulations require Government to tender any contracts, over $100,000.
However, Cabinet has the power to waive that regimen, if there is an emergency and the project is urgent and has national security implications.
3 overseas companies millions & millions
Over $8 Million of no-bid contracts went to just three companies; Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Baker McKenzie and Indigo Engineering Caribbean Group Limited.
Pricewaterhouse Coopers raked in $2.9 Million of no-bid contracts for services Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) said were for "specialized service that only they could provide."
In addition, Baker McKenzie a law firm got another $4.6 Million over four years of no-bid contracts for legal services for the Ports Project and the proposed Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport runway expansion.
The firm of former Public Works Director Winston C. Wilson, Indigo Engineering Caribbean Group Limited got over $420,000 in less than two years, according to the Premier's answer.
When pressed by Hon Fahie as to why the tender process was not honoured for these contracts and if the tender process is flawed, Dr. Smith said: "nothing is wrong with the tender process, but certain types of expertise require different processes".
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26 Responses to “Over $8M in no-bid consultancy contracts for 3 overseas companies”
lol what crock of shite!
Look at how all these consultants eating millions out the yin-yang and we the people still have not be presented with something of meaningful interest, like A Nation Building Action Plan for Self-Determination- 2037, or by whatever years agreed upon.
It has already been exposed why all the noise about independence. However, this was not so much about the people’s interest, but more to do about self-interest.
With all that is going down right now, we all have better grasped that this whole experience is a WAKE UP CALL to RESET our values of who we are as a people and the direction of where we intend to take our country for generations to come.
Our ancestors’ story- throughout the diaspora near and far- has been there to teach us many lessons, but that which we have never learned is bound to be repeated- hence our current experience.
In essence- we must RESET OUR STORY- work towards A Nation Building Action Plan for Self-Determination- or accept what is coming to us and our descendants.
FOR OUR UPCOMING ELECTION- TO OUR PROSPECTIVE NEW POLITICAL LEADERS: NO MORE WASTE, NO MORE BLAMES- IT IS TIME TO PRODUCE MEANINGFUL SOLUTIONS, MEANINGFUL WORK.
The next upcoming election and campaigns must be focused on NATION BUILDING: producing food for our people; EDUCATION that does not make us subservient and begging for jobs, but masters of our destinies; supporting our people in building successful businesses for sustainable economic prosperity; aligning ourselves with national and international alliances and partners who share our vision (for national security and other compatible interests). Period!