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NDP inked contract with St Lucian firm on Advance Polling Day 2019- Premier

- Premier said consultancy contract for road design works signed 'on a day when everyone was looking for votes'
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has revealed that the former Dr D. Orlando Smith-led National Democratic Party (NDP) administration signed a roadworks consultancy contract with a foreign firm on advance polling day, February 21, 2019. Photo: Youtube/HoA
Premier Andrew A. Fahie revealed the answer following questions from Senior Legislator, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) on the progress of the contract since the 2019 date. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Premier Andrew A. Fahie revealed the answer following questions from Senior Legislator, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) on the progress of the contract since the 2019 date. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Government expects the construction phase of the consultancy would be completed by February 2022. Photo: VINO/File
Government expects the construction phase of the consultancy would be completed by February 2022. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The former Dr D. Orlando Smith-led National Democratic Party (NDP) administration signed a roadworks consultancy contract with a foreign firm on Advance Polling Day, February 21, 2019.

This was revealed in an answer from Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) following questions from senior legislator, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) on the progress of the contract since the 2019 date.

St. Lucian firm handling consultancy 

Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie said the then NDP government signed contract number MCW-004M-2019 with FDL consultancy Inc. based in St Lucia for $876,250.

He said the consultancy offered for engineering design and construction supervision for the rehabilitation of roads, slopes and coastal defense was funded under a CDB Rehabilitation loan; however, the contract was not for the actual construction work. 

However, while the Premier has since indicated that the consultancy was allowed under the terms of the CDB loan, he said it was done ‘on a day when everyone was looking for votes.”

The Premier said that the work contracts; however, are being carried out by local contractors under the Virgins Islands Party (VIP) Government.

At the tune of 800K, the consultancy prepared preliminary and final designs for the rehabilitation and/or slope stabilisation at Great Mountain, Hope Hill, Little Dix Hill, Bob’s Gas Station road, Ballast Bay, and Long Trench amongst other works.

Other works, the Premier said, included asphaltic concrete works, road servicing for all projects at the above sites, the preparation of an environmental and social management plan for the project, and a climate risk vulnerability assessment for the project. 

The consultancy also required cost estimates for each project site as well as tender documents and assistance with tender evaluations, Hon Fahie said. 

COVID-19 delaying projects - Premier Fahie 

While the contract had an original duration of 24 months for design, tendering, and construction and an additional 12 months for the defects and liability period, he said the combined total would have been 36 months. 

Premier Fahie; however, noted that with the onset of COVID-19, works have been delayed, specifically the pace of the construction projects, which he said has interrupted tender processes and construction works.

He said Government expects the construction phase of the consultancy would be completed by February 2022.

13 Responses to “NDP inked contract with St Lucian firm on Advance Polling Day 2019- Premier”

  • Windy (17/08/2021, 12:07) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Who's brother or cousin got that contract ?
  • wow (17/08/2021, 13:53) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Another One! This is insane! Where are We heading to? Seems like the Premier on a Side Track to making it hard for All
  • Lb (17/08/2021, 14:13) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    CDB funds. We don't care
  • My girl (17/08/2021, 16:15) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
    And that is the ndp out there thinking they will come back?
  • the rock (17/08/2021, 21:25) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    I'm totally confused, on one hand the COI is bad for us, and the other hand the VIP feeding the COI with vitamins, those guys I know cant wait to be back!
  • Dancing in the sunshine (17/08/2021, 22:42) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    He who lives and forgot the past will repeat the same in the future. When we look at James Walter Francis Drive as the only solid roadway on Tortola that require little maintenance after so many years of construction. That toad was done by Public Works Department's engineer from Trinidad and Tobago. The highway should have been extended further west, however, the workers were encouraged to trike and sent him home. Some projects require special skills that may not be available here and as such I don't see any problem to import certain skills to execute the project. What we need is quality of work and waste of time and money while the project withstand the test of time.
  • VI Gyal (18/08/2021, 09:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The funds is from CDB and not Government. Things can only progress when made available. The contract was executed. The government happened to change, so VIP won and they now have to ensure that the project is completed. So what Andrew really want to imply. People please wake up and read between Andrew lines. He always throwing talk. Do your work for the people. COI have a right to be happening.
  • Forbidden Truth (18/08/2021, 21:58) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    Let it rest Andrew Fahie
  • Observer (18/08/2021, 23:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh boy...the COI soon come back


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