Dear Editor,
Some weeks ago, the Investment and Development Committee of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown agreed that it would open tenders, advertised by the City Council, for the construction of the building for the city’s administration, at the south- western end of the City Hall compound, and to lease the Constabulary Training Complex, at Water Street. That committee fixed Friday, July 30, 2021, at 13:00 hours to open and award those tenders. However, on Thursday, July 29, 2021, I enquired about the arrangements that were put in place for that activity. I was informed that both sets of tenders (construction of building for administration and lease of the City Constabulary Training Com-plex) were placed in the same box, to be opened on the same day. Further, no one, in administration, could say, with any certainty, if all of the envelopes were clearly marked, to identify the particular work tendered for by contractors and those, who are desirous of leasing the complex.
In accordance with my duties, under the Sixth Schedule, Part I, at 6, I wrote a letter to the chairman of that committee, Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, copied to the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Councillor Oscar Clarke and others (copy attached) about my concerns and discomfort with going forward with the opening of those tenders, on that date, in the manner in which the operatives had planned it. In fact, two aspects of the process worried me: First, having two different sets of tenders, that involve two different sets of procedures placed in the same box appeared, to me, as unusual. It should not happen. Not only is such an arrangement untidy but also it could lead to confusion and suspicion. Second, as it relates to the leasing of the Constabulary Training Complex, there was need for more discussion and a general review of the agreement to lease this municipal property. Here, we are talking about a substantial asset of the Council with great historical significance, and high economic value. In the past, this building was used to do in-house training for recruits and members of the Constabulary and the Council. As it is now, the Constabulary has not been able to provide adequate training for its members because the Council has not provided a place for its law enforcement arm to train Constables and Officers. Moreover, the City Council is in possession of a correspondence from the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, to suspend the disposal of assets, at this point in time. The correspondence, by the Minister, must be given due regard. Moreover, the administration needs more clarity on certain aspects of that agreement from the relevant officers of the Council.
I apologise to tenderers for the inconvenience caused but it is important, to us, as it is to you, that the process is fair, transparent and that all those, who have tendered have an equal opportunity to be awarded the contract for construction of building for administration. A new time and date will be announced for the opening of those tenders.
Sincerely,
Candace Nelson, Town Clerk
(ag.)
City of Georgetown
