Even after being informed by the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) through a letter that Brazilian construction firm OAS Construtora, the firm charged with constructing the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension to Point Fortin, was experiencing financial crisis and had filed for judicial review, there was no acknowledgement by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
During a Joint Select Committee Meeting on Land and Physical Infrastructure on Thursday, officials at NIDCO were asked whether the letter was acknowledged. Chairman Herbert George said there was never a formal response from the Ministry to NIDCO.
In the letter, NIDCO informed the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure at the time that NIDCO recognised that the contractor, OAS, was experiencing financial and resource difficulties which were impacting on the project. Considering this, the company devised strategies to ensure continuity of the project and connectivity by introducing suitable experienced local highway contractors to be employed as nominated subcontractors.
One of the objectives of the committee was to ensure that proper monitoring and evaluation was undertaken – and that the country receives value for money output. Mr. George was then asked to name the Ministers on the Committee.