World Bank banned CHEC
(CNS): The Chinese company that the Cayman Islands government is negotiating with over the development of cruise berthing facilities has been banned by the World Bank because of fraud and corruption. The parent company of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), has been barred from being involved in projects financed by the global bank since 2009 under its fraud and corruption sanctioning policy. The revelation was made by the Jamaica’s Contractor-General, Greg Christie, who has raised concerns about developments in that country which were given to the Beijing based firm.
Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush, who is facing opposition from the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office over his decision to negotiate with CHEC outside internaitonal procurement standards, has insisted since he moved into exclusive talks with the firm last year that it is thebest company for the job.
However, the revelationsabout the World Bank's ban on the firm adds fuel to the mounting controversy in the region regarding the firm and its involvement in various Caribbean capital projects. The bank has stated that any firm directly or indirectly controlled by CCCC is ineligible for any World Bank financed contracts related to roads and bridges during the period 12 January 2009 to 12 January 2017, which automtically extends to CHEC as it is a major subsidary of CCCC.
In its efforts to combat corruption in public sector contracting the bank prohibits member countries from awarding World Bank-financed contracts to any of the firms or individuals that it has sanctioned. Christie has questioned whether the government in Jamaica had identified CHEC’s debarred status.
“Now that it is known that the World Bank, in the judicious application of its anti-fraud and anti-corruption policies in public contracting, has had cause to sanction and to debar CCCC and CHEC from receiving World Bank financed contracts, the obvious question that now arises is whether this is something that the government, as a matter of good, prudent and diligent business practice, intends to be guided by in the award of its own contracts that are financed from non-World Bank sources,” Christie said, adding that the revelation must be set against the backdrop of other controversies surrounding CHEC.
According to the Jamaican media, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has rejected the concerns, stressing that it was not involved in and had never been involved in any activity that has attracted sanctions by the World Bank.
It said the issue related to 2003 and involves the China Road and Bridge Group, which was later taken over by CCCC in 2005. CHEC claimed its parent company came under the debarment in 2011 based on changes made at that time to the World Bank system.
The Cayman premier signed an MOU with CHEC last year and has been in negotiations ever since to build two finger piers in George Town with an extensive upland development, a well as a pier in West Bay and the redevelopment of the jetty in Spotts as a bad weather alternative for cruise ships to anchor
The talks have been embroiled in controversy because of concerns about the firm, the way it was selected by the premier and exactly how the escalating cost of the project will ultimately be met. CHEC has agreed to design, build and finance the project and recoup its investment over a period of fifty years but it is not clear what share of the port fees, which normally go to the public coffers, will be redirected to CHEC.
Category: World News
Someone posted such an excellent suggestion that I just had to refer to it here. I second this suggestion:
"Maybe someone should call GLF, seek forgiveness for the despicable way in which CIG treated them, see if they would be willing to jump back in at the point where the Framework Agreement was terminated, and allow them an opportunity to secure the contract for the port if they agree to apply the $2milliion settlement to the overall contract amount.
However, to avoid any problems/delays, this should only be attempted after receving prior approval from the Auditor General, the CTC, and the FCO."
This is the only way to get this port moving fast enough and perhaps, just perhaps, we might be able to save our local cruise industry and our local merchants in time before it all goes bellyup. God knows this current government administration has wasted enough of our time as it is. The LA should overturn the Premier's decision and bring back GLF, of course, with the approval of the CTC, the Auditor General, the Governor and the FCO. GLF had been previously approved by the tendering committee after DECCO stepped away, so there really should be no problems with getting them back on board. Hopefully they will not allow the bitter taste in their mouth that was left by the current CIG administration, to prevent them from giving us consideration this second time around and they will be willing to work with Cayman again. This is what CIG does not understand, that when they treat reputable companies like dirt, like they did with GLF by shoving them under the bus to make way for CHEC, that you only make the rest of the international business community (the ethical ones that are not prone to bribing, that is), think twice about ever doing business with us, out of fear they will get similarly get screwed. This is what this CIG administration has done for our international reputation. Way to Go !!!!
Foolio not interested in CHEC any more, have the BAR to take care of, and the Mercedes to polish and shine.
According to CITN, when asked for comment on the news about CHEC being barred by World Bank, "Lead negotiator on the deal, Ellio Solomon, and officials from the premier’s office declined to comment"
For someone who knows everything about everything, and has an answer and parable for every question on Rooster Fridays (not that his answers make any sense, or even answer the question(s)), Mr. Ellio Solomon really surprises me with his silence on this revelation.
He must be pretty stumped for words, for once (thank heavens!). All things considered, even the best PR agent would find it very difficult to put this latest bit of news in any positive light or to try and justify the actions that led to this. There is just NO way one can spin this to make it not look so bad, or put it out propaganda to counteract this bit of news – it is just SO BAD, that even the most wordy spinmaster can't find anything to say.
Please don't underestimate the helium boy.
Oh Foolio looks like u will need more of that oil of olay that you claim u use to slip out of this one.
L O L ! ! !
If only I had bigger font.
In a live broadcast on CITN at the end of March, when Government was supposed to finalize the cruise ship dock contract with CHEC, ELLIO SOLOMON as lead negotiator for the CIG, in what can only be described as a tone of condescension, responded to a number of questions raised by the moderator, panel members, and external emailers, that he had already addressed , with CHEC, the various issues which all of them had raised – and that he expected everything to be successfully concluded within a matter of weeks. Fast forward to NOW, TWO MONTHS LATER. Mr Solomon has not only become utterly silent, he is virtually invisible.
YELLIO – WHERE ARE YOU – AND WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO SAY ??
My guess is he's been fired, just like Cline – 'coz somebody else always has to take the fall for all the screwups……. Or maybe this little thing of CHEC being banned by the World Bank, has tied his tongue. Either way, as long as he doesn't speak and I don't have to hear any more drivel out of his mouth, I am happy.
How many times have we seen Mckeeeeewah screw up?
How many good projects has he meddled into and caused this country to pay out millions of dollars?
How many times have there been "dark clouds" hanging over operations handled by him?
How many times does this country intend to let this man run it into more debt?
How much longer is this country prepared to suffer the consequences as a result of unedlucated leadership????
We are certainly doomed if we continue downhill on this track!!
I was certain he was going to be a disaster as soon as he started referring to "my gowerment" right after the last elections. Sorry McKeeva Bush. Get a life. It is NOT your gowerment. It is the Cayman Islands Government. One way or other you are going to have to be made to understand that.
And their pension benefits should be calculated on the same terms as ordinary civil servants. They are bankrupting this country economically and in every other way possible and it is just down right disgraceful. Reform is seriously needed. Let's here which politicians will carry the torch for realistic change during the upcoming campaign.
Any politician who breaks any law, regulation, or attempts to circumvent any law, regulation or process established for good governance, should be swiftly charged and placed before a Grand Court Judge sitting alone and if found guilty, he should receive three times the penalty imposed by law! The Constitution should also be amended to keep politicians out of the operational aspects of government departments. They should set direction and policies only. That would go a long way to preventing curruption of public officials.
This is just another conspiracy by the world bank against poor ol Mckeeva
It's all about the casino. Ask Ellio.
This is a very important project. Many businesses may close down because it is taking too long. If the CHEC is holding us back, we have to find a replacement very soon and begin the project. The UK, everyone, should be on board.
Maybe someone should call GLF, seek forgiveness for the despicable way in which CIG treated them, see if they would be willing to jump back in at the point where the Framework Agreement was terminated, and allow them an opportunity to secure the contract for the port if they agree to apply the $2milliion settlement to the overall contract amount.
However, to avoid any problems/delays, this should only be attempted after receving prior approval from the Auditor General, the CTC, and the FCO.
GLF could do… but what business does the FCO have with our profits and attracting tourists? I think they should keep out of our economic affairs… finding something to do like play chess!
Charles Clifford warned CG and the UDP in 2009 that if they aborted his plan for berthing facilities and a new cargo dock that they would not achieve anything during their term in office. Mac subsequently fired CG as the Lead Negotiator and hired "Foolio".
"Foolie" proudly declared that he would deal with this project in the same way that he dealt with the affordable housing project. Charles Clifford again issued a warning. He told "Foolio" that this was a significantly more complex project than building affordable houses besides the affordable housing project was not exactly a symbol of how to do projects properly and legally.
Then the UK Minister, Mr. Bellingham, recently issued a warning to McKeeva. He told him that if the project was not brought back in line with international best practices and properly tendered that it was dead in the water and would not be allowed to proceed.
Stubborn McKeeva tries to defy the UK's instructions which of course will keep the project where it currently is – non existent !
So as predicted by Charles Clifford here is the UDP with the end of their term in sight and no hope of getting the project off the ground. Meanwhile more and more shops, restaurants and businesses are closing and people are loosing their jobs.
"Foolio" you might not have realised this yet but nothing is ever McKeeva's fault so guess what its your time to get fired as Lead Negotiator – Goodbye !!!
I hear all that you continue to write Chuckie on this board but what were your achivements whilst you were in Office except you know what?
What's up Chuckie?
Let’s just address the elephant in the room. There’s one simple question for each of the honourable elected gentlemen involved in the CHEC project: have you personally benefited, or do you expect personally to benefit, in any way from the contract going to CHEC? Yes or no? If no, that’s cool, but expect the hounds of hell to come after you if you’re later caught out in a lie.
Bet Mr Harris doesn’t ask THAT on Friday.
the hounds of hell on cayman don't seem to have teeth
I have one simple answer for you. It wasn me. My hands are clean and my heart is pure.
Seems like China Bridge and Road Construction (same people, different name) was involved in bid rigging. Big Mac has decided that in order to prevent that happening here he will NOT be accepting any bids for the new piers.
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:22034560~pagePK:64257043~piPK:437376~theSitePK:4607,00.html
It wasn me.
How many times do we, as citizens of this country, have to express our hesitation and disinterest in this deal? How many times has new information poured in, illustrating corruption and bad business practice by this company? Now can we remove ourselves from this situation? McKeeva, I don't trust you as far as I could throw you. If you want to claim that you were unaware of these serious allegations then that would be to say you did no research or due diligence on this company. Have you ever heard of Google?
Shady, shady, shady.
These are terrible times for our country with so much acrimony between our representatives and now Cayman and the UK largely as a consequence of our premier's intemperate utterances.
We need new reprentatives who can debate the issues rather than each other's personalities, and conduct themselves in general in a mature, respectful and considered and responsible manner, both as represenatives and in their personal lives. Lively debate is good as long as it is based on goodwill and a respect for the views and opinions of others. Hate, loathing and acrimony have no part to play in healthy debate and we need to rid our assembly of those who appear to revel in such base behaviour.
One other point if I might. Somewhere along the line a number of our representatives appear to have rejected the notion that members of the electorate have any right to direct them and "tell them what to do" in the words of one. They seem to believe that their views trump those of the electorate as a matter of course and (incredibly) appear to actually express anger towards any who voice thinking contrary to their own. Does a servant tell his master what to do? What a strange reversal of roles we have being played out in the minds of some of our representatives. I pray we can rid ourselves of them before too long and restore some sense of decorum to the procedings of our legislative assembly.
You seem like a very well educated and articulate Caymanian. I agree with your views and feel your pain. In regards to your question of what to do about the "Servant becoming the Master", I would say remember this…remember the contempt with which you and other Caymanians are being held in and rememember that contempt come election time. As an expat, we can only live with what the voting populace decide. Only Caymanians can decide which course the Ship Cayman Steers…
Here, here and well said. Cayman needs more like you and less of the uneducated, mud slinging isolationists that so frequently consider their view the 'Caymanian Peoples' view, (take note Whodatis).
If only you and your fellow kind could form yourselves into a competant and legitimate political group, this island would be all the better for it. As soon as Caymanians realise that there is another way and the old family feudal system is dead, the quicker this country and its people can move up to a more prosperous future. What should it matter from which endof the island you come from, for heavens sake you live on a rock the size of most small villages in other countries. The brutal truth is that if a middle of the road, progressive and honest group of people, (that will work with the UK and not against it with non sensical consiratory theories) do not seize the day, this country's future is bleak.
Put an end to the child like politics that currently exist, show the world that Cayman is an educated and honest place to do business and get rid of those who are causing so much embarrassment to Caymans reputation around the western world and beyond.
Best comment I have read in a long time. The modus operandi of our local politicians, is to attack the personalities and personal lives of those who are not "toeing the line" and swallowing blindly everything they say and do. The Governor, FCO, etc. have refrained from that, by sticking to the matters under discussion and do not attack either the individual politician(s) or the office they hold. Would our local representatives learn from this and begin to act as true statesmen, instead of behaving like those mediocre leaders in other countries riddled by tribal warfare and civil strife / conflict-ridden in-fighting. Their antics are childish and only embarrass us as a country. A prime example is the current party spokesman, fairly new to politics and government, who disdainfully and sarcastically dismisses the views of others who beg to disagree with the current party's views. The leader and the spokesman set the tone of the rest of the party. The opposition and independents also have a lot to learn – how to fight fairly and not be dragged into the alleycat / mud-slinging fights. They all fail to realize how their conduct reflect on our image. We live in an age where as soon as the word is spoken, it is carried on the TV news, in the newspapers, internet blogs, global news reports, etc.,and has tremendous impact on how the rest of the world views us and our country's wellbeing in terms of investments and international dealings. The carelessness displayed in the public utterances of our local politicians, without any thought to the consequences whether intended or not, is truly astonishing. Time for the old-dinosaur type of politics to move over and time for the emergence of progressive, educated people to step up for love of country and lead us out of this mess and into a more civilized, refined era of politics.
Remember, Cayman, our new Government Administration Building "had" to be sold too. And Remember Cayman, the Cohen deal was by far the best possible deal for the country too. And remember Cayman, the GLF settelment was the best deal for our country too. And remember Cayman, the UDP did for a certain church in West Bay what God Almighty couldn't do for it too. And remember Cayman, one man, one vote is going to destroy this country and our gowerment is doing their utmost to stop it in your interests, Cayman. How long is this going to continue, Cayman? You suffered from acute amnesia once before, Cayman. You have been professionally deluded by the very best in the business in the past, Cayman. It is PAST time to wake up and take control of your country and your lives and your future and your children's future, Cayman. Wake up Cayman.
there is plenty more to add to that list of failures and broken promises…..
You have one thing clearly mixed up…One Man One Vote will DO AWAY with the nonsence in the earlier part of your text….when you get real representatiives in the house.
One Man One Vote will ENSURE you have ACCOUNTABLE RERESENTATION in the future.
Not 3 or 4 useless votes but 1 accountable one.
You have one thing clearly mixed up.
Actually that sounds like an oxymoron to me.
Bet you didn't know there was a thing called sarcasm?
When you figure it out, please let me know how you figured out that only that line of my post was not being sarcastic.
ZZZZ…. soon come….gone back to bed….zzzzz. All fun aside, this is the prevailing attitude, which is why things never change. Hopefully we are in for a surprise and they will.
Yes, the prevailing attitude of going back to bed might just do the trick.
I would like to hear Keke brilliant side of his story now lol
Pure bureacratic harrassment. The World Bank did that just to make him look bad. Devil worshipers. It the PPM's fault. ——- take your pick.
It's a conspiracy, I just know it.
Chewbacca is from Endor. Sacred vessels. I go to Church a lot. Repeat.
No, no, no, you silly Gungan. Chewbacca is Wookiee and Wookiees are from Kashyyk. Ewoks are from Endor. And the sacred vessel was the Millennium Falcon.
You will hear Keke brilliant side 05;47, but the last laugh will be on you, So brace yourself for it!
I guess we better load up on some ibrupofen and similar pain medication because something tells me the "brilliant side" will be painful to hear, either that or we will pop a blood vessel trying to make sense of the explanation, like the brillliant explanation of the Stan Thomas Affair which leaves even more questions unanswered.
and keke would say "everyone is out to get me"
Curses. Foiled again.
To anon 22:41
I dont think so. this is pure propaganda. why is Mr. Greg Christie now bringing his concerns about CHEC? they been building up Jam since 2009.
He was asked to investigate.
Oh Silly One, Mr. Greg Christie has been questioning this for quite some time now, starting with the JLP administration that brought the illustrious CHEC company to Jamaica, and when PNP won, Mr. Christie continued to sound the alarm and asked the new ruling Government to look into concerns over how the projects were awarded to CHEC without open tendering. Why don't you check the facts before speaking, Silly One? All you have to do is google it a bit in the Jamaican Gleaner and the Jamaican Observer. This is not something Mr. Christie is "just: coming out with. He is like your Mr. Swarbrick and your Mr. Duguay of former years, he has been ringing the alarm bell but the Government of the day paid no heed. Reminds you of any government you might know?
To 18:53
Yes me the silly one!
I was only using my common sense approach.
You will admit though, that even when Mr. Christie voiced his concerns…. CHEC is all over the Caribbean, Canada, North America and Central America, and Jamaica, still doing business.
CHEC may have been in Jamaica since 2009, but the investigation into Jamaica's CHEC deals by the OCG only started after a conflict was noted between public statements made MIke Henry where he said that China Exim Bank had required that CHEC be awarded the contracts as a condition of the loan, when in actual fact the OCG had discovered that there was no such requirement.
Give that man an Appleton!
On the rocks or in the ditch?
Cha! I guess da CHEC naw goin’ clear now.
Mac, your consistent display of bad judgement is, yet again, exposed.
CHEC-mate. Game over.
Elio ol buddy, looks like cat got your tongue. It's about f 'n time.
The UDP is a total embarrasment and disgrace to these islands and you all keep on sucking up their foolishness and drinking that kool-aid… just look at the people he surrounds himself with right here in Cayman, damn hypocrites all of them. Sickening man
"FRAUD & CORRUPTION"???? Sounds familiar? I'm not sure what it means lol but I have always been told that "birds of a feather flock together"! Could this be true?
Is this the beginnings of Investigation No. 4?
It seems like they all have beginnings but no ends.
You guys are really discusting… you bitting off your nose to spite your face!
This story is not new, it ran last year and was cleared up by CHEC. You should know that China does not need the World Bank money, they are spending Chinese State Funds.
Now why is it the Contractor general of Jamaica bringing this up again?…think about it! CHEC has been building up Jamaica's infrastructures for the last 2 years. bridges, highways,cruise ship ports. invested and bought out their three sugar Estate. For the first time they are shipping their famous Blue Moutain Coffeee to China.
CHEC is in the Bahamas investing 3.5 billion dollars in mega resorts. The Chinese are in Trinidad, Costa Rica, Cuba, Grenada,and few other Islands, investing billions.
Why are'nt they ranting about the Chinese are corrupt? smart people! they keeping up with the rest of the world, by improving their infrastructures.
Quote; Organizers of Invest Caribbean Now 2012 will also honour renowned busines leader, Sir Richard Branson with the leadership award for his commitment to the launch of his Branson of Entrepreneurship-Caribbean.
The forum comes as Chinese invest in the caribbean continues to boom in this free trade emerging market economy that is politically stable and boost a highly literate work force and established tourism market, and which the monetary fund and World bank forecast will se a 3.5 growth into 2013, higher than the eastern Europe & Central Asia, and similar to those of East Aisia.
Unquote:What i have to say about all this, if you guys don't put your political greiviance aside, Cayman will be left behind and we will all have to returrn to these same countries that accepted the Chinese to advance and improve their Infrastructures. Remember the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.We had nothing here.
This has nothing to do with 'China' needing World Bank money or not so that just goes to show that you don't know what you are talking about.
The World Bank is not 'giving' any money to China. Rather the World bank is providing supportive finance for other countries to build projects which the Chinese are copntracting on. Totally different. The article says that the World Bank views the CHEC parent Co as essentially corrupt and so they will not deal with them.
If that is the case then WB are either right or wrong. CHEC seem to be saying that WB are right about one Compnay but that was before it came under present ownership. If that is the case then all they need to do is get WB to agree that and we can all move on. If it is just 'CHEC syas' vs "World Bank says' then good luck betting that CHEC are right and WB are wrong!
I do not believe that ” Philanthropy ” is a word which features often in the lexicon of Chinese business and investment. They are past masters in the art of contractual small print, and their ” quid pro quo’s ” for investing billions of dollars in foreign countries, can come at a very high price. Globally, they now control a frightening percentage of crucial strategic mineral and natural resources, in exchange for which they have provided roads, harbours, sports stadia, airports -the list is endless. But, these new found infrastructural assets do not not put bread on the table, and in many countries, particularly in Africa, a great deal of the capital they have provided does not trickle down to the man in the street. As happened in the past with IMF development loans, large chunks of money have almost certainly been siphoned off by corrupt governments. Meanwhile, the various countries have actually lost control of their ability to trade independently, as a sovereign nation – everything has to be sold to China. Add to that the prospect that eventually, China may be able to control World prices in a wide variety of essential goods – rare earth minerals are a perfect example – and a much more sinister picture begins to emerge.
Be careful of what you wish for and remember what, hopefully, your parents taught you – ” don’t accept sweeties from strangers “.
Especially sweeties from communist strangers who don't even their own citizens basic human rights.
Cayman, human rights, HA, HA ,HA !!! Are you serious?
Then these county's leaders need to learn to read the small print and not be so ready to grab the money for their own selfish pockets. Don't blame the Chinese, it's business and it's the same all over the world. Australia is doing extremely well out of the deal to extract minerals for the Chinese, their economy is booming.
But then again, they can read, have a government that serves the people and acts in their best interest. Not a self serving bunch of amateurs who are intent on lining their own pockets. Ring any bells Cayman?
Further, no one is saying anything about Chinese investment generally. It is the company CHEC that has the less than stellar reputation. Other Chinese companies are not being tarred and feathered here. CHEC is the one that has several controversies surrounding it, one only has to google it to find it out. Get your head out of your…. and think intelligently. Also, while you are at it, please get your facts straight, the Chinese have not done ANY cruiseship ports WHATSOEVER in Jamaica. They have done roads, bridges, and the airport palisadoes strip, but no cruise ship ports. At least try to be accurate.
Anon 01: 54
My humble apology to you and the readers of this article. The Chinese did not build the cruise port in Jamaica as i claimed.
But, the facts will remaine, that three quarters of the wold are tripping over themselves, waiting in line for the Chinese to invest in their inadequate infrastructures. Would you agree on this my man ? and get your head out of your ……..and think intelligantly.
Thanks for admitting, your accuracies, that jamaica has imbarked on the Chinese funds, to build up their Infrastructures.
So, now tell me my friend! why should'nt Cayman do the same?
Apology accepted, however you make some alarming points that are wholly inaccurate. It's true, you don't actually have an infrastructure to speak of, unlike the US and the UK that have some of the best examples of civil engineering and infrastructure ever to be thought of by man. They have also the means and the power to extract themselves from the mire in which they found themselves after the banking crisis and following the world recession. Unlike most of Europe and certainly the Cayman Islands, who are both stuck in a terrible mess of their own design.
In regard to the Chinese offering to invest in infrastructure, utilities and business. That isn't a sign of failure or inadequacy, it is a sign of success as the Chinese have recognised a safe and lucrative opportunity to invest in successful businesses in stable countries. Their investments will ultimately see a healthy return from a strong and vibrant industry, they're not giving money away !!!!
Just because a foriegn company invests in a utility company or drug manufacturer in the UK, US or anywhere else, it doesn't mean the world has come to an end and the whole country is endebted to the investor. It just means that that company has more resourses to re-invest and improve their business model for the future. The Chinese are not offering bail outs, they are INVESTING, there is a huge difference.
So in answer to your final line. Yes, Cayman should welcome any company, country or institution capable of investing in infrastructure projects as long as the normal rules are adhered to. That includes honesty, integrity and good governance, something sorely lacking in the current deal.
And before you run off at the mouth again and make yourself look really foolish, try checking your spelling, grammer and punctuation before accusing others of a lack of intelligence. It's just so much more convincing.
Re spelling the word is "grammar" not "grammer", "foreign" not "foriegn", "indebted" not "endebted" and "resources" not "resourses".
I agree re good governance.
Well kiss mi grammer.
My friend, no one is saying anyone should refuse help from the Chinese generally, the only concern here is the particular company CHEC, that our esteemed Premier saw fit to do business with, this is the company that has recently been at the centre of a few controveries (google is your friend), and who is blacklisted by World Bank for this reason. You must agree that surely if the esteemed politicians here had done any intelligent background checks / due diligence, they would have realized this was not the best company to single out for doing business with, bearing in mind this country's reputation as one of the world's leading financial centres trying to attract legitimate business here, and they should have put it out to public tender instead of privately / secretively negotiating a deal and refusing to come clean about the terms and conditions being negotiated? Ever try getting a clear answer from Elio Solomon about the progress of negotiations? It is a useless tasks. He feels apparently this government does not answer to those who elected them. No wonder the UK stepped in and drew a line and asked that it be brought back upto international tendering standards. The way our government went about it is DEAD WRONG ! This is the same thing Mr. Christie of Jamaica is saying – there was no transparent opening tendering – Government simply overturned the previously selected company which was selected by a panel, and singlehandledly decided to negotiations with a hand-picked company with no transparency as to how this company was selected. The fact that this company has a dubious reputation, there is no wonder the citizens of this country are questioning this government's decision and are very concerned about their choice!
Please enlighten us if those countries are also willing to let the Chinese own their main port / infrastructure for 50 years – even after they have long recouped their investments, and if those countries are also willing to settle for a certain "share" of future profits instead of the full profits that are due to them? We all know the Chinese do business with other countries, but certainly not under the asinine terms under which our local government is willing to dobusiness with them, except for maybe Jamaica – who is not a good example for us to follow anyway. We all know the Chinese don't need World Bank's money, but they do want the projects that the World Bank is willing to finance in certain other countries, otherwise why are they falling over themselves to try and get those projects? The World Bank says however, they will not allow corrupt business entities to benefit from the works generated by their loan, and CHEC is apparently banned from their list – not even you can deny that, can you? So the Chinese are willing to put their own money in so they can get the work – you think they are doing it out of the kindness of their fine little communist souls? Hhmm? Aint no such thing as a free lunch – and with the Chinese, you WILL pay dearly in the end. Just ask some of those poor African countries that "benefited" from their investment. For the record, no one is against the Chinese's investments in general and no one will deny the volume of their investments in various countries – not all Chinese companies are corrupt, that is why due diligence should be done and only those with good reputations are the ones we should be even thinking of doing business with. However, there is rightful indignation when our government chooses to do business with a PARTICULAR Chinese company that is fraught with bribery implications and controversies (check Google). . All the UK is doing is trying to get us to follow proper international bidding processes and good governance regulations, which include making sure those we do business with, have good reputation and that we have a fair, transparent bidding process, not the shady dealings in the dark that seem to be going on here with no accountability to the people of this country.
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS:
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Construction of a cruise ship terminal expected to attract nearly 1 million visitors a year will begin now that Jamaica has secured financing, the government said Saturday.
The terminal will be the first in Jamaica's northern region to accommodate the largest of cruise ships and will create some 500 construction jobs and 900 permanent jobs, according to Finance Minister Audley Shaw.
The HSBC bank in London and a Danish credit agency will provide nearly $122 million to help build the Falmouth terminal just east of Montego Bay. It will be able to accommodate a large and small ship at the same time, he said.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has invested $102 million in the project, Shaw said in a statement.
The announcement comes as Jamaica struggles with a 15 percent drop in cruise ship visitors. Some 551,000 passengers arrived from January through June 2009 compared to 646,000 arrivals during the same period last year, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SHOW ME WHERE IT SAYS THAT THE CHINESE HAVE BUILT OR INVESTED IN THE JAMAICAN CRUISE PORT?
For heavens sake, someone on this island needs to learn to read and get their facts straight before shooting off at the mouth. You may have noticed that your glorious leader has not denied CHEC involvement in the Jamaica port. He has let you do what you do best, throw unfounded accusations and cheap political jibes, whilst he sits back and watches as his foolish people destroy themselves. IT'S WHAT HE WANTS, IT IS HE WHO IS DESTABLISING THE COUNTRY WITH YOUR BLIND HELP, YOU ONLY HAVE YOURSELVES TO BLAME FOOLS.
You are so right, so happy to see that someone has some insight. This is all about the other big powers getting it all wrong, driving their own economies into the ground and envious that the Chinese can and are willing to invest in the Caribbean. They are also were insecure now that the Chinese have taken an interest in us, because they failed to take any investment interest in us for the past 100 years other than to derail us for being a low tax region.
AS IF THE WB MATTERS, THEY ARE IN DEBT TO THE CHINESE; AND THEIR BAND WAS NOT OF CCCC, IT WAS 'CHINA ROADS AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION' (CRBC) ANOTHER CHINESE COMPANY THAT WAS TAKEN OVER BY CCCC; AS IF UT MATTERS:
DO us a favor and learn to read and write properly. And while you are at it, explain the bribery of the Bangladesh prime minister's son in which CHEC was directly implicated, and the current controversies raging in Jamaica surrounding CHEC projects. One only needs to go so far to bury one's head in the sand, but you seem to have gone down 10 ft. deep in an effort to avoid facing reality. Oh, the delusional existence of some can be sweet to them, but sour to the rest of us.
Ok. Was that clearing up the one with bribing?
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article2129181.ece
Dred,
When it comes to bribery, we dont have to look any further than our puiblic servants, right here on our little Island.
It would appear for the last 15 years a majority of managers withing the various departmnents have either sat up companies within their running of government businesses, to funnell funds for their own gains.
Or have specilal entities, they personally give these contracts to for their own personal gains.
The rich gets richer and the hard working man gets no work because of these bribes.
XXXXX
I would hope you are above this practice. let's clean up our bribery train first.
The reason there are effectively blacklisted by the World Bank is that CHEC have been known to get business with smaller countries by bribing their public officials to get around having to tender for the project.
Of course nothing like that happended in Cayman, CHEC won the tender process fair and square, so I agree with you that this should not affect Cayman in any way and is non news
For those of you who do not realize, the poster is being deliberately sarcastic, in a nice way. I for one, agree.
Then in the 70's 80's and 90's we built this city on cocaine money! So what the hell do we need CHEC for? Let's just go bring back the good ole days!!
Mac was still cutting my grandparents grass back then, we were far better off than we are now.
Foolio is this you?
Always got a dyam ansa to ery'ting ah?
wonder who dat is? only couple of people would try to support CHEC
The 30-40-50-60's…we at least had some pride inour country. Not now.
30 million?
God Save the Queen! Governor Taylor and the FCO! hurry come May 2013! Higher the A$$ the harder the fall!! Humpty Dumpty sat on a sea-wall!!! Whooohooooo!
As I recall, all you Alden and PPM worshippers threw him out of office in Elections 2009!
Why? Incompetence, reckless spending and no accountability!
Putting out the UDP and electing Ezzard and the PPM will only repeat the same
behavior all over again.
These men have not changed. They all want one thing":
MONEY AND POWER
Bleh…
Actually you UDP worshippers put the bushman in to see if he could outshine the PPM at incompetence and reckless spending and no accountability and greed. Well guess what, the bushman won, hands down. The only thing the PPM's got over the bushman is they have an education.
PPM this, UDP that, oh grow up, no wonder you're in the mess that you are. You sound like a bunch of prepubescent school girls who are debating the next draft of cheer leaders. Don't you get it, the world is watching this garbage and fast coming to the conclusion that Cayman is just not up to mature politics run by qualified and honest statesmen. In turn they must question whether these islands are a stable enough environment in which to bring business and whether their people are smart enough to conduct their business appropriately.
If you want to be considered as a paragon of democracy in the Caribbean, then start acting like it before it's too late.
We take it you're addressing the UDP gowerment?
Not to worry, my friend. When the whole world sees how very hard we all worked together to get rid of a useless gowerment they'll be coming here in throngs to bring business.
Mac doesn't understand that word. You could have just used little.
Those who lie down with dogs, should expcet to get up with fleas!
I can answer for Ellio Solomon…" that was not my remit. I was asked to negotiate with CHEC the best deal for the people of the Cayman Islands and I have done that, guaranteeing local purchasing and hiring."
Guarantee that is what he will say!!
except each sentence start with ''mr harris…….
Holy Mac-kerel!
CNS please could you forward copies of this to news media in Roatan, Panama, and Vietnam – in case he is traveling and not insync with the news on this little 2×4 island?
We’re back to the ” Golden Oldie ” – ” Show me your friends, and I’ll tell you who YOU are “.
Those 'Third World Bank' people are just trying to distract from all of the fireworks we are having to celebrate the third anniversary of the UDP giving Cayman a budget surplus!
Just wait until Mac or Foolio tells us how much our budget surplus is this year!
This isn’t news, we already knew both parties had questionable ethics…
What company in it’s right mind, is going to buy a business on the WB black list, unless they already owned it of course.
I want Mr. Bush to stand up and explain to us why he thinks this is a “good idea”, because so-far that is all he has said to justify his decision.
I also want him to tell us all, that he, his family and business associates, have not and will never receive any payments from this bunch of communists, in relation to this project.
Personally, I no longer trust him and I guess that means that I no longer trust his government.
"Fraud AND corruption"!!! NO McKeewa would never do business with such a company!!!!
Lists of companies that are happy to pay bribes and "commissions" to corrupt politicians and their cronies are probably in great demand in some circles. I wonder how many times it was downloaded locally prior to the decision regarding what was "best for Cayman"?
Does anyone know if there is a similar list for developers willing to pay bribes to tin pot kleptocrats?
Maybe this is finally CHEC mate for the Chinese. I wonder if Lord Ashroft is out there in the wings now he is here in the media business.
Having a list of companies banned for corruption is a "must read" or at least a "must have read to me" for certain politicians and their cronies. It makes earning consulting fees so much simpler.
Question for the Premier appointed Port Negotiator, Hon. MLA Ellio Solomon when next he is on the Rooster Talk show, which will probably be Friday:
When you were in charge of the negotiations for the Port project did you conduct any due dilligence investigations into CHEC?
Did you did you conduct any due dilligence investigations into the CHEC "agent" Mr. Binley Sangster?
Are you aware of the numerous problems identified with the Jamaica Government / CHEC relationship by the Contractor General Mr. Christie in Jamaica?
Did you contact Mr. Christie to get first hand knowledge about the Jamaica Government / CHEC relationship by the Contractor General Mr. Christie?
Will you publish any of the due dilligence investigations you conducted or cause to be conducted and answers to the above?
Thank you and I will be looking on the Rooster website for your answers.
Now we all know that "due diligence" = "bureaucratic harassment". Isn't that right, Mr. Premier?
XXXXX MLA Foolio Solomon is the smartest person in the LA, and if you don't believe that, just ask him. He must get the questions Austin is going to ask him on Friday morning in advance, so he can prepare his answers in advance. I am an avid listener to Rooster's Friday morning show, but when I turn on the radio and hear his voice, I turn it off and Austin and Gilbert does not get my support that morning. Has any listener hear how, no matter what the questions, he has a speedy, self–serving response ready, even before the questioner is finished. He is also a disgrace, as since he was elected, he purchased a brand-new Mercedes, started travelling all over the world and making sure that we pay for it. There are Caymanians who spent years working for the country, who can barely buy Foster's Food Fair "Any 5 for 19.99" meat special. I spent years working for the Government and when I collect my pension, I have to spend a couple of hours trying to decide how many "5 for 19.99" meats, since I have a very sick child who has to have nutritious food as well as an elderly bed-ridden mother who is a hard-core diabetic. Betcha Foolio and McChavez do not have to search for what they are going to eat from one day to the next. It is a disgrace to Caymanians and the Cayman Islands for us to finally join the dictatorships of the world and our Mother does not seem to care about her loyal subjects any more. What McChavez andhis XXXXX does to us, should matter to us, but it does not. They are turning us into a banana republic right under the UK's eyes and they are acting as if they do not even care. Shades of Misick and TCI are again permeating our political landscape more and more every day. God have mercy on all of us.
Don't be fooled by the current calm that has descended on behalf of the UK. Those who would like you to think that the UK has ignored the issues and would like to see Cayman collapse are absolutely wrong. Whilst there have obviously been some investigative problems in the past, this CoP and Governor are not going to make the same mistakes. Good investigators do not show their hand or share their thoughts with the wider public. It's frustrating for sure, but necessary and wise given the reputation of those who are terminally damaging the Cayman Islands people and reputation. When the hammer does come down however, be under no illusions, it will bring pain. People who you once looked up to or considered upright citizens will go down with their paymasters, sad but true if other examples are anything to go by. Be patient Cayman, no one wants to see this island suffer or be restrained by investigations, their day will come.
I like this post very much
Dear CNS,
This story is missing one major item which I have been asking for some time now without an answer. The Question is, how did the Premier learn of CHEC in the first place or who suggested that he meet with them? The Premier was in Italy observing GLF projects when he suddenly decided to meet with CHEC. The Premier has never explained how CHEC became involved to begin with. I believe when we know the "who" and the "how" we will then see the "why". We already know of the widespread corruption of CHEC, now we need to know how our leader became involved. I am quite sure he did not learn of this company by himself.
A second question remains unanswered. When a company like CHEC or whomever received the final contract, will there be a clause which prohibits them from selling their interest in the dock to a third party before their lease is up?.
I heard it came to him in a vision of a fiery bush speaking esperanto
Not exactly a surprise !
the embarrassment and humiliation for this administration never ends….
please resign…for the sake of your country…
16:48
The only embarrasment and humilation in this country, are the group of you that is trying to overtrow this Government…..sorry! UDP will have the last laugh on all you idiots.
Don"t forget the good old scripture says; Dig two holes! __________
You look for the most rediculous propaganda to make this administration look bad.
Yes please. Just dig two holes. We have been asking for a friggin hole for over a decade, but our spoiled pocket filling politicians (all of them) can't figure out how to profit so has stalled our tourism instead.
Yes PLEASE dig two holes…no, make it 15, for pier posts to be out into the sand for a lonfg cement pier (period!) we do NOT need shops, bars, bistros….the cruise shippers in their electric wheelchairs only want to get off on CEMENT PIER instead of a tender.
Build a simple pier, NOT a $$$ city!!!
People, we are losing sight of the NEED and gettng wrapped up in the politics.
Just dig two (or 12 or 15) holes and pour a 1/4 mile cement dock and be done with this!!!
Money saved? Yup. Problem solved? Yup…..use the extra holes to put anyone who has insulted this country by being a politician for the past decade in a hole too.
You blind and niave fool.
From a non party supporter.
And you look for the most "rediculous" spelling, grammar and punctuation, which only makes you look bad. Why should we pay any attention to you?
Is this the same teacher who claims ridiculous is spely rediculous?
And just to make it clear, we all want what is best for the COUNTRY, and if that entails throwing out the current group of morons, then so be it.
Who FOO FOOL now MAC?
16:47
You all will always be the foo fool. Mac got more foresight and vision than all you put together. I'll bet you, by September you all will be crying because you could'nt get this one over Mac.
Try to educate yourselves gentlemen, the whole world is lined up waiting for these same people that you calling dogs and corrupt, to finance their infrastructures in their countries, you know why? they have not the funds to do so. The Chinese do not need the World Bank's money.
Jamaica is where this recent news came out from. how ironic…they have sold three sugar plantation to these same so-called corrupt. These corrupted have built their cruise port, their highways. and now shipping their famous Blue Mountain Coffee to China. do you really know what this means, Jamaica economy will only continue to boom. so keep on biting off your nose to spite your face…my man!
And you don't have coffee, sugar or any other export of considerable value except your laughable niavety, of which you have tons.
Stop the lies, no cruise ship ports were built in Jamaica by CHEC. And as for the comment – the whole world is lining up waiting for them – please be so kind as to enlighten us if those other countries are also willing to let the Chinese own their main port / infrastructure for 50 years – even after they have recouped their investments, and if those other countries are also willing to settle for a certain "share" of future profits instead of the full profits that are due to them? We all know the Chinese do business with other countries, but certainly not under the asinine terms under which our local government is willing to do business with them, except for maybe Jamaica – who is not a good example for us to follow anyway. We all know the Chinese don't need World Bank's money, but they do want the projects that the World Bank is willing to finance in certain other countries, otherwise why are they falling over themselves to try and get those projects? The World Bank is saying however, they will not deal with corrupt business entities and CHEC is apparently banned from their list – not even you can deny that, can you? So the Chinese are willing to put their own money in so they can get the work – you think they are doing it out of the kindness of their fine little communist souls? Hhmm? Aint no such thing as a free lunch – and with the Chinese, you WILL pay dearly in the end. Just ask some of those poor African countries that "benefited" from their investment.
1) Lots of allegations about Cayman corruption.
2) Inexplicable handling of mutli-million dollar dock bid process.
3) Allegations of CHEC corruption.
1+2+3=?
I am asking the question "is this why Mr. Bush has over ridden our government officials to contract with this company"? I believe a probe should be done to find out why. No wonder the UK don't want this to happen.
to 16: 44
Can you explain to the Cayman people why the English are inviting these same Chinese to invest, and build their 33 billion pound, bullet train to run from London to Birmingham? how hypocritical..the Uk don't want this to happen..you say!
Stop being a fool,and stop brainwashing the people, tell them the truth. youwould go to any lenth and lie to try and remove Mac.
The English are not against Chinese investment generally, numbnuts, they are against certain CORRUPT Chinese company(ies), particularly those implicated in recent bribery scandal(s) and also controversies surrounding the award of contracts to them in the first place without open tenders. Get it now? Sigh. Honestly, the low intelligence quota of certain posters on this site…….
Awesome, as a major offshore financial jurisdiction, this should bode very well with those looking to invest or set up shop in Cayman.
Still a conspiracy theory Mac?
Plain as mud now, Mac being investigated for corruption, Chinese Co. been found guilty of corruption and banned by the World Bank, lets do business! Its the best deal around.
Maybe Mac has just been nodding all along to the Chinese because he cannot understand Chinese, cause God knows he cannot understand the basics of English let alone anything else put in front of him.
Way to go Mac, keep sinking the ship and building your walls, hope you are comfortable
Now I understand why Premier Bush's decided to sign up CHEC.
They are such stand up corporate citizens even if they are not Christians.
Got it.
Are you Kidding me? I mean Mac hand picked these guys after ending the deal with GLF and they are an unsavory lot?
I did not see that one coming, no sir
Just goes to show how much due diligence (if any), our wise leaders did, on this company before selecting them?
Depends what you think they were looking for with their due diligence. Maybe they did it meticulously and hoped that the basis for the decision would remain obscure?
You have an excellent point there – MAYBE they DID do their due diligence afterall very diligently – with all due diligence to making sure it was done diligently, and then found exactly what they were diligently looking for, as being due to them?
"According to the Jamaican media, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has rejected the concerns, stressing that it was not involved in and had never been involved in any activity that has attracted sanctions by the World Bank."
So, I guess that little incident of the Bangladesh prime minister's son and bribery charges is also regarded by CHEC as also being nothing of importance? Will they try to distance themselves from that too? WOW ! And this is the company that was supposed to be "best" to do the work here. I guess the logical question would be "best for whom?".
Why does this NOT surprise me!
And this is the company that the Premier chooses to conduct business with and he wants us to believe he is innocent of anything concerning the THREE criminal investigations against him – give over!
Uh-oh. Someone did not do their due diligence checks.
Wrong, someone did their checks and still didnt give a damn
I was there, and yes there were lots of cheques.
Due diligence checks? Or Cheques, are you seriously suggesting that your premier would accept a Cheque and forgo the checks? Heaven forfend!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!! You gotta hand it to UDP, they really know how to pick them ! They couldn't have found a company with a more stellar reputation if they tried (sarcasm intended). This is the company that was deemed best for Cayman. WHOOHOOO!!!!
What took so long, this is stale news?
What a SHOCKER??!!! NOT!!
Huuummmm I wonder if this contributed to their MYSTERIOUS rise to the top of the list?
Isn't THAT the same company that our beloved premier said we couldn't possibly find a better one in the whole entire world to build our dock?
Hey CNS, shouldn't that be 'Government WAS negotiating with'?
Birds of a feather, flock together.
complements McKeeva perfectly
Only one has been banned – so far.
"Birds of a feather…"