Port could face retender
(CNS): Concerns about the development of the George Town cruise facilities and the need to get the project back in line with what the UK Minister for OTs called international procurement best practice may see the project retendered. During his visit to Cayman last week Henry Bellinghamsaid he had “numerous concerns” about that project and wanted the premier to seek advice from the auditor general and the chair of the Central Tenders Committee on how to ensure the project will, going forward, meet the standards of good governance expected. He did not spell out exactly what he meant by that but it could mean the project may have to be bid all over again.
It may be very difficult for the premier to reach the standard of best practice which the UK is calling for as the CHEC proposal was never part of the original tendering process. At the very least, Bellingham made it clear the port would be the subject of much wider scrutiny before the premier would be in a position to sign a definitive agreement with the developers, China Harbour Engineering Company.
Auditor General Alastair Swarbrick confirmed that so far the premier has not asked him for any advice. "If and when I am asked for my advice I will provide that to government,” he said but would not elaborate on how he would advise the premier to get the project back in line with best practice.
However, Swarbrick said his concerns regarding the procurement process generally were outlined in last year's performance audit report. “We made the shortcomings of the current practices very clear and our concerns relating to the involvement of politicians in the procurement process known. Those concerns still exist and we are looking to see how the government will address them.”
During his visit last week the overseas territories minister emphasised over and over the need for good governance and for the Cayman government to follow best practice in procurement. Bellingham said he was not concerned about the nationality of the proposed developers and was not opposed to international investment.
“There are concerns on a number of issues, including procurement and the major projects,” Bellingham said. “I believe it’s vital that such important projects be procured in-line with international best practice to ensure value for money. I have concerns over procurement of the cruise ship terminal project, which I have raised with the premier. I have made it very clear to him, for me to be able to support the project it must be in line with international best practice.”
The minister said he was seeking reassurance as to how the premier would achieve this and spoke about the importance of trust and confidence. “This is a huge project for the Cayman Islands and one that’s incredibly important to get right,” he said.
The FCO minister stated that the financial framework agreement which the premier signed last year went further than the issue of public spending. It is also about good governance across the whole of the public sector and procurement, Bellingham said, adding that the Cayman people needed to have confidence in the procurement process.
In the most recent public comments about the project Ellio Solomon, who is leading the negotiations with China Harbour, stated that construction would start in September, which may well be wishful thinking since there are numerous hurdles that the government will have to jump before the FCO is satisfied that the project meets with the requirements of the financial framework agreement.
When government first announced its own plans for the port after winning the 2009 elections, the project was put out to tender. DECCO, the Dart Group’s construction company, came out top in the first bid from the Port Authority’s short list. However, the islands’ largest investor pulled out of negotiations with government when the parties reached stalemate over the period of time Dart wanted to lease the upland development area in order to recoup its investment.
GLF construction was the next bidder on the shortlist, so when the DECCO talks collapsed, Cline Glidden, who was the government’s lead negotiator at the time, moved into talks with the Italian-based firm and their local partners, Royal Construction. Just weeks before the company was ready to mobilize, the premier, going over the heads of the port board and his own back-bencher, announced his decision to terminate those talks as he did not believe GLF had the cash, and moved into negotiations with CHEC.
The Beijing-based firm, however, was not next on the port’s list as it had never taken part in the original bid. As a result, in order for the project to get back in line with what the UK considers international procurement best practice, the bid may have to be retendered.
Category: Local News
And I bet you're surprised that Bush's boy messed up, he has always been the stool pidgeon for the rest of the cabinet, they didn't want to get their hands dirty on this one, After all, its only the biggest civil construction project ever seen in Cayman, why wouldn't you put an inexperienced newby at the sharp end?
While I could not agree more about the experience of Fool-foolio, don't be fooled for a minute that McKeeva Bush is making ALL of the decisions regarding the port. Fool-foolio is only a puppet that is controlled by money and power. When are we as Caymanian going to stand-up to defend our Country? We are now past the stage where we need to sign a petition to remove our current government. Please note that I am a Caymanian and I am not for the UDP or the PPM!
Another scandal that falls squarely on the shoulders of McKeeva Bush! Who is going to pay for the inevitable law suit when the deals he unilaterally and illegally entered into on behalf of this country fall apart? I understand that McKeeva is incapable of acknowledging his mistakes, but what must his party think when they read headline after headline about his behaviour? How can they continue to support him and sleep at night? I can only conclude that they XXXXX intend to go down with the ship.
What ever happened to the deal with atlantic star from back in 2007
Seems they had it all planned out would have been done by now thats for sure!
Their proposal for relocating the cargo facility to the north, by Mr. Arthur's, would have caused too much additional environmental damage.
I worried bout mi bye Ellio wha de hell going to happen to him and the amount of time he has invested inna dis!
We have more time to look at the big picture and review this like open minded people looking for the best solution to fit our countries needs and concerns.
God Bless Cayman and Rememeber we make our home a home for everyone to enjoy. We all in thei place meaning everyone on this Island Should Contribute in everyway possible. Positive thoughts, We are what we make it.
Until you role them over.
Will the same process now be followed for the deals with Dart? (ie moving dump and closing part of west bay road)
When the politicians told the sea captains they were too far ahead with chec to consider red bay, does this now mean it can be considered?
Never mind refusing to relinquish his death grip on this country and it's people, what really boggles my mind where on earth does McKeeva find the nerve to get out of his bed in the morning.
at the bank?
Poor Mac. So much b-brurocratic harrassment.
This is a positive development on many fronts. As others have said, I sure hope Big Mac or Helio haven't signed anything they wished they hadn't.
I hope all options return to the table and a proper vetting process takes place:
CHEC
Decco
GLF
Red Bay
The one question I have not been able to find an answer for is under the CHEC deal, the per passenger cruise fee was going to CHEC as their repayment for the building of the port. This is a substantial of government revenue which CIG would no longer be receiving. What was the plan for replacing this annual revenue that would be lost from the government coffers? Or are the equivalent expenditures going to disappear too? I look forward to insight on that scenario.
Meanwhile, onwards and upwards with due process and good governance.
What on God's Green Earth does the Premier know about engineering, construction, contract negotiations or anything else? I wouldn't let him negotiate a long distance call let alone allow him to be a signing authority for anything involving public money.
He knows enough to do well for himself.
Be fair to the man
Ifwe only let him deal with stuff that he knew something about he would get very bored doing nothing!
He knows enough to be able to calculate 10 or 15 per cent of a gross number.
Same goes for Helium.
Can you remember the Frist Cayman Bank failure and who was the Managing Director? What else can we expect from someone with limited everything but is miinster of Finance, Development, Tourism and has control over the CIMA.
When are we going to interview a kindergarden child for the JOB.
Sigh…..Not the Red Bay nonsense again. They lost the argument last time and the possibility of a retender for the GT dock changes none of the fundamentals against it. No doubt we will have the benefit of their new fancy website soon…..double sigh……
Not sure what argument they "lost"? The Sea Captains presented a very thorough plan that dealth with all the relevant issues and Ellio and the Government refused to even grant them an audience. The Sea Captains understand that the Government did not want a better solution to the long term cruise industry to upset the CHEC proposal given the timing of next elections and the previous false starts. Re-tendering gives them a chance now.
Red Bay is a superior choice in terms of traffic, in terms of limiting environmental damage, in terms of safety, in terms of guaranteeeing arrivals and most of all in terms of costs. Supporters from both UDP and PPM support the concept. The taxi and tour operators do as well. Many of the actual Cruise captains do as well.
Red Bay provides an "ALL WEATHER PORT" rather than a couple of "Nor'wester/Hurricane prone jetties" out on the edge of a drop-off — that is the big difference. No one can argue against that. We even have to spend another $10,000,000 at Spotts as a back-up to the new $300,000,000 jetties…makes no sense. Spotts would have been used 30-35 days last year and several of those days neither GT nor Spotts could be used and ships left. So building something that you cannot use for 1 month of the year is simple crazy. Given that that month is in high cruise season its even crazier. So after we spend $310,000,000 we still have to turn away cruise ships in high season! Not sure how Red Bay "lost" any argument.
The Captains website is still active at "www.caymancruiseport.com" so you can see the pros & cons of the facility there as well as the drawings and press releases. Clearly you did not read them.
But for clarity, no serious argument has been but forward to date on why Red Bay is not a better solution to long term cruise berthing. Only the downtown merchants and folks with financial interest in the CHEC proposal were against it and now that they see the light of 100,000 square foot of terminal retail, Red Bay should be seriously considered. It was modelled off the Nassau Bahamas terminal and it guarantees the ships safe and controlled berthing every day, of every year for less cost.
Now the CHEC is going to sue the Government for breach of contract and that will be another 2 million. Who is going to pay for this one Mr. Premier since you claim the Government didn't pay for the last one.
This one will probably be more like 20 million.
BAD LUCK FOR ELIO
… Is good luck for Cayman….
Oh well, time to unpack my bags. I don't think Ellio is going to need a hairdresser on his trip to China anytime soon.
If Helium ever sees that haircut you've been giving him he'll KILL you.
So you're the one that has been giving him that Fresh Prince of Belair flat -top look from the 80's LOL!! Please get a new occupation!
I thought it was more San Francisco 1980's than Fresh Prince 1980's. "
Libertarian you have no clue as to what has transpired in the TCI? As there are five news blogs you really ought to read them. Firstly TCI does not have a Central Bank. Then there is no small matter of twenty four arrests for bribery and or corruption including eight former politicians. These include the former Premier Michael Misick who is wanted by Interpol and the former leader of the opposition. The bribery, corruption and fraud has deprived the island of millions of dollars which the investigation team sent from the FCO are now investigating and recovering. Undoubtably they will recover millions more. This team with whom I am familiar consists of lawyers and policemen of the highest capabilities and qualifications.
The perpetrators of these crimes are coming before Justice Ramsey-Hale and from what I have seen to date justice will most certainly prevail if the future hearings are on her watch.
Personally I would welcome the FCO bringing a team of investigative to the Cayman Islands.
To finish my dialogue I should add that the TCI Government receives quarterly financial statements comparing budget with actual. It is ironic that the Cayman Government has dispensed with these fiscal measures so how they know what is going on is beyond my wildest imagination.
http://www.suntci.com/index.php?p=story&id=1571
to: Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/25/2012 – 12:20.
We could say bye bye to everything if we let CHEC secure the contract!!
Is this such a bad alternative? I'm all for reducing traffic in town for one, and it makes sense if town becomes too choppy to have a port in Red Bay. http://www.caymancruiseport.com/
Also, from what I can gather wouldn't it provide employment to so many people who do not have jobs in Cayman? Just my two cents….
You talking about jobs to the imported Chinese labour?
Wellyou better keep ’em – doesn’t lok as though you can afford to give them away.
Who does that Belli man think he is telling Mckeeva what to do? Bellingham? Retender my backfoot! That's alot of money in me pocket to lose!
You can blame Brother McKeeva for that. 'Losing' our money seems to be his biggest kick in life.
more unemployed caymanians and a rise in crime! !good joob keke you are the best choice, this another reason why you should step down, you cannot finsh nothing you start!!!!!!!!!
I do not think it is fair to say that KeKe cannot finish anything that he starts..
We do not know that, because he has not even started anything in the past three years…
Just tax us, and talk, and come up with hare brained schemes, and travel and spend…
And oh did I say talk, and come up with more hare brained schemes, and travel, and spend?
Wait. Thsi is but one iron in the fire. Wait till you hear about the financial projections and the budget for next year – then you will see how many things are started but cannot be finished.
I usually think people can do just about anything here and not suffer the consequences, but I think this time maybe someone (who has been pushing the boundries a long time) may have gone a leeeeetle bit to far. we'll see….
Just hope to Hell that there have notbeen any “up front” payments by CHEC to cover things like the GLF “Intellectual Property” bought by Bush for $2 MILLION ! – I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell the Chinese that I didn’t have any money left to pay them back. Even more, let’s pray that nothing exists, in writing, which vaguely resembles a contract,
This is the same as Bellingham taking Mac and smacking his palm with his ruler and say "Bad Boy" now go to your room and dont come out until you are ready to apologize and clean up your mess.
Only problem is he smacked him in the wrong place with the wrong thing.
I wonder if McKeewa can now sell the "intelletual property" in having to go back to tender?
Great news. Now…I have said this before and I am saying it again…Cayman does not NEED a cruiseship dock. Cayman needs a really good tender landing. One that is separate from the cargo, commercial, container dock that now operates in Georgetown. Caymanhas a Navy that moves thousands of tourists daily, efficently and safely. This would alleviate any need to dredge or blast reefs in the harbour, save a huge amount of money and be completed in a very short time. Cayman is too safe, clean and beautiful for the cruising public to turn its back on just because there is no cattle car cruiseship facility for 4 cruiseships to tie up to at once. Granted also that Spotts needs a major upgrade to handle traffic in Nor'wester season. If you think the cruise lines are not going to come here anymore, you are mistaken. Think of the money the cruise lines will save in fuel if Cuba opens up. Florida to Jamaica, Jamaica to Cayman, Cayman to Cuba, Cuba to the US. They can almost drift that route. No need to put hundreds of millions into an unnecessary project when all you need is a good tender landing. Doing this will also ensure that the existing merchants downtown will not have the unnecessary and unfair competion they would have from more upland shopping granted to the builders of the cruiseship dock. I would also recommend installing 4 permanent moorings for the cruiseships that do come here. This would save anchor damage to the harbour and make for easy mooring and sailing for the ships themselves. The sight of 4 or 5 big ships in the harbour on a nice day is magnificent. A sight you will not see in many other places.
My Dear Red Flag,
As I make this reply to your post, I see that you have a four-to-one ratio in FAVOR of your comment. Darn!…. I would have liked to see 90% or more! You are so right. We do NOT need a monster budget-busting dock! Your suggestion for better tender landings and cruiseship moorings makes a lot more sense. Think about it, Caymanians……. This is the way to go. Save big bucks. Save our merchants. Save our reefs.
At last some common sense. We don't have the money and don't need a big C/S dock. The value to Cayman is 99% based upon STAY OVER TOURISM and we need to get out act together on that real soon. Fortunately we have a good product. If we only had a National Airlines in the tourism business it would help.
Unfortunately Red Flag you are wrong. I too would like to see your vision of Cayman cruising however here are the facts:
1. Cayman is the only port of its type in the Caribbean where the ships have to tender. The liability to cruise lines is significant as they are the ones paying to deliver them to shore.
2. The larger ships cannot successfully tender. 6000 passengers and 2100 crew. The industry has moved to these megaships and only the economy in the last 3 years has changed the speed of conversion but that is now how on the rebound the cruiselines will depoy more of them.
3. Cuba already has 14 ports with deep enough water to take these ships right now. Left over from the Solviet Navy/cold war days. They will take ships from us. At the moment we are convieniently halfway from Florida if you go via Mexico or go via Bahamas/jamaica. Cuba will eventuallysuit that timing location perfectly and they will use less fuel to get there. More history, culture and a fascination for the Americans.
4. Permanent moorings have been looked at. The Cayman Government/Port Authority would have to maintain these and more importantly retain the liability for each of those $750M ships attached to them. With weather shifts that we sometimes have, you need to deploy 2 mooring per ship and you cannot do that in the limited area out there. Not really an option.
5. When at a pier, it is proven that the passengers have more time onshore, shop more, go on longer tours, etc, etc. More of the crew comes off as well and they spend too. In other words the "dollar spend" goes up–something we need in Cayman.
These are some of the reasons we need piers for these ships…we just need to apply common sense in its design, cost and construction as well as putting it in the correct location.
Very few people wonder if we need a new dock at all. I have never seen anyone address the problem of several thousand people setting foot in GT at once rather than the gradual arrival by tender. I doubt any of the taxis, buses, even Uncle Dart's could cope with everyone disembarking at once. If you think the traffic is bad in downtown GT, wait until there is a new dock and four ships unload at once.
Somehow i think, just like many other islands have, we can figure out the trafffic part of the equation. Right now we just need to get back on the right track. Someone please call GLF!!
Does this mean that we are not going to get the pier down by the turtle farm again?
Whats going on in NW Point road? A whole chunk of land cleared south of divetech
That's the best news I've heard a!ll year!!! Hopefully, we can get this sorted quickly and get something done
I don’t think that this is the end for CHeC, they are ahead of the game if retendering is to be considered.
Do not agree I think there will be a retender. Chec-mate against the Chinese .
I agree. Only an idiot would think they can 'get in bed' with the Chinese and win!
Ahead of the game? Are you for real? If you said ahead of the game in how to entrap a country into debt / payback for the next half a century, then yes, they are ahead of the game in that respect, just secondplace behind Dart who only wanted it for almost an entire century.
I'm think the whole idea is to get CHEC out of the game.
Only if we can find a way to keep Mac out of the picture.
Come back GLF, all will be…well not fogiven as you did nothing wrong…all will be dealt with in a professional manner and in line with international best procurement practices. I hope. A more than slightly concerned Caymanian and downtown merchant.
Ok now, suppose the Port has to be retendered and GLF puts in a bid and ultimately gets the contract, will they have to repay the millions that they recieved as settlement?
A mean to say, we is broke and the settlement was for not getting the Port, but if in the end GLF get the Port contract then they will be getting what they recieved the settlement for NOT getting, even though they will will be getting the contract!
In saying all this, I still believe GLF should have got the Port as was recommended by the Port Authority Board, before "something" attracted one towards China Harbour!
I think GLF would be fair enough to credit the amount they got, towards the future cost of the port, should they get the job back. No doubt this settlement would have been a sort of reimbursement for costs incurred before they were terminated – if they already done a certain amount of work (analysis, designs, testing, etc), and got reimbursed for it, they wouldn't have to do those things all over again, logic would dictate. Perhaps this is something the Port Authority could bring up with them should they decide to go to retender or invite them back to the table.
And just say he is please with the frame work agreement. and the procurement, of the port. Or, he could also see this as a copycat of how they go about procuring their infrastructure and development of their projects in England.
Read the report on George Osborne, the British Chancellor statement. Jan, 17,2012:
George Osborne urges Chinese to invest in the UK. In British Transport, Energy and Utility.
It seems like they are ahead of the game..would'nt you say?
Bye Bye Cruise Ships. Bye Bye Financial Industry. Bye Bye Cayman.
This silly blog really was too SCARY-what not tourist and banks??…..I'm really scared now…NOT!!
Most importantly, Bye Bye corruption, and Bye Bye worthlessness in our country, Do not listen to the purest ignorance, Cayman. The Cruise ships, and the Financial Industry, and Cayman are not going anywhere. And if they do it will most certainly not be Mr. Bellingham to blame. It will be McKeeva Bush and the people who were ignorant enough to make him premier of our country who are to blame.
Not only are the Caymanian people, the UK, the press, bloggers, Anti-Cjhristians, and elected representatives meddling in the decisions of the Premier.Now he must consult the Auditor General AND the Central Tenders Committee!! How is he supposed to rule under THOSE conditions!!! He must be allowed to be free!!!! After all, he's collecting a pension and a salary and collecting checks, under investigation, but it does not mean he's guilty of any abuse of office. Stand firm Mr. Premier! Don't move.
He is NOT supposed to rule…he is supposed to lead in governing.
Try telling HIM that.
You left out the most important thing and that was 'probe into 32 tons of explosives'. Ha, ha ha, that isn't that important, I guess. How naive can you be?
Thank you Mr. Bellingham, aswell as local opposition and independent members, for questioning this deal. This is far to huge to get wrong!
And neither Mac nor Elio have the required credentials to procure/lead this!
Trouble is those involved see International Best Practice as "Beaurocratic Harrasment"
This current Govt. is clearly not competent, or interested in following processes
Bloggers take time to read, 'Is the yuan the new dollar'. .
So having already paid GLF, who won the bid, some $2m in damages and we have to go back to re- tender? Wow!
breath taking isn't it. and to think I've heard people brag they were in this meeting or that with these guys! Me iz very impressed.
Does anyone know how long it would take to burn 2 million $$$? I'll try Google, but I'll bet someone here has a better idea. sheeeesh TWO MILLION DOLLARS! I could easily buy my way out of Purgatory for that!!!!!!!
Unfortunately that's what comes with having the kind of premier we have.
Port SHOULD Face Retender
I sure hope we the people build this port soon before we lose all our cruise tourism. The Premier warned of this long ago and he is correct in my humble opinion! We need to get on with it ASAP! Politics aside, I still think DECCO was the obvious choice as the DART Group would have done it right and it probably would have been nearly comleted by now as we all know fudning is not an issue for DART! Please revist this aspect Mr. Premier and make it happen.
We could have gotten on with it a long time ago if DUE PROCESS had been followed!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Star (with no light), it was your beloved Premier who "took" it away from Decco to give it to GLF, then took it away from GLF to sell, sorry, I mean give it to China Harbour. Therefore my humble conclusion is, that if it was not for your hero the Port "probably would have been nearly completed by now".
A senior British politician or diplomat can tell you to XXXX off and make it sound like an invitation to a wedding. I suspect (and truly hope) Mr Bellingham is in essence telling Mac, " "so far as the CHEC deal is concerned, you're XXXXed".
British have always been famous for their diplomacy, which in their words is defined as – ” The ability to keep on saying ” nice doggie “, untilyou can find a rock, or a big stick “
Bow wow!
Great News!!!…And while they are re-tendering that port they should also ask for "total solutions" including traffic distribution, road networking, parking, severe weather and northwesters solutions. It should also allow bidders to use alternate sites and provide a real EIA prior to selection.
Captain McCoy and the Sea Captains had a very thought out practical solution that solved all of these problems and cost less than $300,000,000. Red Bay actually even created less enivronmental damage than the planned destruction of Cheeseburger reef, Devil's grotto, Eden Rock and the Hog Sty Bay harbour.
Now that the Downtown merchants finally see the light, Red Bay is clearly the better solution for the country longterm (as it has always been). There may even be other solutions out there.
We need to demand the best for our children and their children. Afterall, this port will be there until 2120!
The case for the UK to take us over and declare full rule like in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), is growing strong. From way back I recalled they brought in anit-corruption teams to this island and a red herring was needed for a takeover. Now that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister has disclosed that the Premier is under two more investigations, and there is a warship off Cayman asI type, their political intentions is becoming more and more evident. Also, more apalling are the comments being made on this site and certain indivduals among our society who are wanting for this to happen to these beautiful islands so the tables could turn in their favor. They call themselves loyalist and still unawares of the powers that is behind these people. This is so unfortunate for us. I recall the port was a center of controversy when the former governor and Dan Duguay was here. The Premier XXXX stated in a speech that the UK's FCO would do anything to impose taxation or slow the our economic growth or stop the cruise berthing project from happening in order for a takeover and to get their hands on our financial records. I recalled how so many took those words for granted, coming from the mouth of McKeeva Bush himself. But he was not the only one speaking about it. Bloggers on this site have seen it coming and received alot of thumbs down ratings from loyalist on this very site. We know what happened in TCI when their own Central Bank went into liquidation just after the takeover. We know what happened when they had a Premier that wanted Independence and was investigated for corruption and how they immediately stepped in and dissolved the people's elected cabinet, prohibited voting, and to this day, many investors have fleed the island, as its Governor is a former british spy agent. Nothing could be so insulting to the TCI people who were innocent of this man's actions. Yet we was warned that worse could have happen to us and McKeeva didn't make it any better for us at all. Usually, from experience and history has taught me that behind these politicians are a powerful elite few whose only god is accumulation of wealth and power if not colonial power. The FCO is just one front. Our banks and the issue of tax evasion has always been a target. Moreover, Crown Land reserved for certain individuals and the issues of bringing officers down here to receive large salaries to manage the socalled "corruption and crime." With the cctv camaras, it turns out that these devices along with the phone bugging regulations that were implemented, "social control" shouldn't be hard for the colonial powers to ascertain. My gravest concern is our young people still without work, and a Premier that has been very slow in boosting the economy with a trickle down effect philosophy that if you benefit the wealthy, wealth will trickle down to benefit the entire populous. But experience has taught me that whenever the wealthy receive much, they close their hands more and more, and hoard their wealth. It is the opposite. If you want to grow an economy, you have to reduce fees and permit fees, all indirect taxes, and help those at the bottom of the ladder to start and maintain their own businesses. Apparently, the Governor has seen what has been going on for three years under UDP tenure, but is silent and is not our savior.
TCI are heading towards elections this year – which means the Britscan move their team straight to Cayman.
P.S. I wish you would write in paragraphs, although your points are interesting and I enjoy them, they make tedius reading the way it is written.
That requires an education…
i'd take direct rule over a bunch of local uneducated politicians anyday…..
Finally, some good news. This is a make-or-break project, and if the Cayman Islands were ever obligated to 50 years of any concession, fees or lease agreements, we are in serious trouble.
Put another way, if we cannot afford the consequences of the deal, we shouldn't make it. I believe we need a cruise ship docking area, however if the building of such kills our economy, what use is it to us? Perhaps we have to grow a bit first, and/or finance it from within rather than from outside sources.
I don't blame CHEC for making the deal they did. It's a good deal for them. When we have an arrangement that is a good deal for the Cayman Islands and its people, AND we can afford it, AND it has passed the protocols of the tendering process, then we will have a framework worth investing in.
I've said it before: Let's don't rush this process; we're not making monuments to politicians (or shouldn't be), we're talking about our children's future, and the viability of the Caymanian economy.
Bring GLF back! We do not have the time to start this process from scratch!
Excellent news, that was close, too close. A couple of inept corrupt politicians almost destroyed us
don't worry though, they're still in power…… and they have Dynomite!
Brilliant! The best comment I have read. Still crying with laffter
You mean they now have mo powa?
Bring back GLF – It was the only thing being done properly. Including not issuing brown paper bags.
Pack your bags guys…
Looks like we will have a few more rounds of world travel to view the projects done by the bidders during the next port retendering process…
maybe they can take the Dynomite! with them and sell it. I hear it's pretty easy to take in and out of countries.
Perfect reason why we need to dump this Premier. He cuts deals that locks us into debt that we have no say in. He is dangerous to the financial health of these Islands. Your vote must be adjusted, there are thoses that can't be trusted and the Uk is stepping in. Thank God.
This is EXCELLENT news…not only would the cost cripple the country, but self serving decisions would sell us to the Chinese. Next round of decisions should be made by reputable business people, not inept and unqualified middlemen/ politicians.
Is it just me or does it really seem that all involved are just not smart enough, not experianced enough, and really don't have any idea on how to get a job started, much less finished on time and on budget? An educated 10 year old would at least find someone with answers to help him out and then listen. These clowns are a waste of time and money. Hopefully Cayman is learning a much needed lesson that voted in leadership whould first have some sort of qualifications, some experiance and much much more education.
It's not just you.
There is no doubt that this project has to be retendered, not just for the purpose of compliance with the UKs framework for fiscal responsibility, but in order to comply with the Public Management and Finance Law and in particular, its subsiduary legislation, namely the Financial Regulations.
This legislation requires that Government (including its statutory authorities) must obtain value for money in and, in that vien, in regards to any project exceeding $300,000.00, unless the relevant Chief Officer can certify that there is only one supplier for the particular project, there MUST be a procurement process conducted by the CTC.
If the CO certifies that there is only one supplier for the project (which would assume he would have to have a reasonable basis for concluding that), then all that needs to happen is an evaluation (as opposed to procurement) by the CTC in order to ensure that Govt(or the relevant Govt entity) is receiving value for the money it is expending on the project.
This is an extremely complicated project, with no Govt funds being used for capitalizing the project (or guaranteeing it) where Govts investment is the land and the leases that will secure the repayment of the debt. If there ever was a project that requires a detailed, careful procurement and evaluation, it is this one.
Therefore, it is absolute recklessness to proceed on the basis that CHEC is the Premier’s favored party, as this is in flagrant breach of the laws of this land as well as our obligation to the UK under the agreement that the Premier himself signed. Contrary to what some people (apparently including senior Customs staff) believe, the Premier is NOT above the Law, and so there must be compliance, no matter what CHEC or anyone else may have been promised.
AND the Auditor General must be sent the contract(s) with justification for no bid process, ie (as well as no other Company could carry out the work) needed urgently. This has taken so long hard to justify emergency. However Cayman needs a berth before Cuba starts to be real competition……
I'm curious if Mac and Elio really thought a 300 million dollar no-bid contract was going to be approved by the UK?
Mac couldn't organize a pissup in a brewery.
mind boggling incompetence from day 1……..
when dart walked away this project was dead….
Sounds like you need to fire that Mr. Bellingham, Mac. He obviously doesn't understand he's on Mac's turf.