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alexk
Guest
“Bring facts, not squirrel talk!”
This was the advice Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan gave Opposition Senator Wade Mark, who moved a motion yesterday on the procurement of the Galleons Passage in the Senate.
Delivering his contribution, Sinanan first shot down claims by the Opposition that it was illegal for Nidco to procure the US$17.4 million vessel, saying there are provisions in the Central Tenders Board Act to do so and Nidco has been acquiring vessels since 2013.
“In 2013, the then government… Cabinet took a decision to have Nidco be involved in the sale of four vessels. The four vessels were being used by Nidco and the Port. Subsequently and for reasons known to the then Cabinet, removed that option and sent it back to the Port. It’s so sad to say that we have vessels parked at a dock yard where we are paying something like $29,000 a month to rent.”
Sinanan said with the T&T Spirit and T&T Express operating at unacceptable levels, PATT made seven attempts to obtain a passenger vessel but failed, as the procurement process was stymied “for some reason or the other”.
Faced with a challenge, Sinanan said Cabinet took the decision for a ministerial committee to assist. “Yes the vessel is taking longer than expected. We agree with that. We would love to have the vessel here in a much sooner time. However, due to unforeseen circumstances the vessel has not yet arrived and Nidco is working with the seller of the vessel to have it here.”
Once it reaches our shores, he said the vessel will service the seabridge for the July/August holidays.
“I think Senator Mark in the future will learn that when he bringing a motion to come with facts. Procurement is something I will never speak about in the Opposition. That is something they will get licks with coming and going.”
Sinanan said Mark’s information was based on “fake news or squirrel talk”.
He said one fake news was that he had owned Bridgemans Services, the agents for the Ocean Flower II vessel.
“The Opposition is judging this Government by their yardstick. We don’t do business like how you do business. The boat that they had (Galicia) is before the court. I think all the things you wanted to put into the public domain it fell flat because the Finance Minister came and showed that all you were saying is really squirrel talk. No proof….nothing at all. Your procurement style cost this country millions and millions of dollars in vessels.”