By Sue-Ann Wayow
A MESSY blame game.
This is how Member of Parliament for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal describes the e-tendering process for the Central Block of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.
In a release on Wednesday, Dr Moonilal called for a firing of the entire board of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) charged with responsibility for the project that broke down after initial Chinese contractors pulled out of their contractual agreement.
Dr Moonilal is further calling on government to answer several questions about the qualifications of the chosen contractor.
He said, “This new fiasco now has two State corporations in an embarrassing public tug-of-war pertaining to the e-tendering process for the Central Block of Port of Spain General Hospital.”
On Monday, UDeCOTT in an attempt to explain the situation issued a release.
UDeCOTT stated that three tenders were received during the bidding process, however only two were initially seen when the e-tender box was opened.
It stated that the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), which manages the eTender platform, stated the error was due to a loss in internet connectivity while the tender was being uploaded.
TSTT, on Wednesday, instead blamed the contractor’s internet service provider that was not TSTT.
UDeCOTT and TSTT both stated the third tender, which was awarded the contract, was uploaded before the deadline.
But according to Dr Moonilal, a potential criminal offence was committed and must be properly investigated by the police.
He said, “The government must also state what are the industry and Udecott procurement rules regarding the late submissions of tenders, whether hardcopy or otherwise. The public must also be told the rules specific to the submission of the tender contract for the Central Block. Still further, there must be public disclosure about the basis on which contractors are selected for a job of this magnitude, complexity and national importance.”
Of vital importance, was also the financial standing of the tendering firms and whether they could realistically complete a project of this magnitude in nine months, especially during the current rainy season.
“The Rowley government must cease the senseless finger-pointing, and must also reveal the evaluation criteria and respective scores for each tender applicant,” Dr Moonilal said.
