Dear Editor,
I do write to express our concern over the article written by Ms Bebi Oosman in Stabroek News of April 6. Before an article is written every effort should be made to ensure its accuracy. Definitely this was not done in this instance.
In paragraph one it was stated that the bulldozer was handed over to the Region Six Council in January, 2018. This is factually incorrect. The bulldozer was delivered in December, 2017 to the Council.
It was stated in paragraph two that the supplier supplied the wrong type of bulldozer and that it was a used one. Be informed that the contract was for a used bulldozer and not a new one as mentioned.
It was mentioned in paragraph three that the bulldozer arrived partially covered in mud and was a used one. This seeks to give the impression that the bulldozer was in use in recent times. Be informed the bulldozer had mud on its tracks since the rain fell that day and in order for the bulldozer to be loaded onto the truck for transportation, a mud mount was used for loading in Georgetown as well as in New Amsterdam for its dismount.
The company wishes to state that it submitted a bid to the National Tender Board for the supply of a D3 Caterpillar Bulldozer. It was the only bidder. The bidding was not done at the regional level as was stated in the media previously. The supplier was unable to source the specified bulldozer. The company admits that it erred in not seeking the approval to have the specification amended. It thought that because the D 4 specification was above the required one, it would have been accepted. It regrets the lack of proper judgement in this instance.
We are committed to supply the specification and to this end, we are in consultation with Macorp to source same. To date one is sourced but at a price that is more than 60% of the agreed contracted price. We are committed to honouring our obligation and to continuing to contribute to the country’s development.
Yours faithfully,
Terry Thomas
Chief Executive Officer