00:00The challenge I have as a Tobogonian is that Tobogonians have previously conducted these type of construction type projects previously
00:16and therefore the question we all have to ask ourselves is what is now disqualifying the Tobogonian contractors
00:25who previously would have qualified and successfully constructed housing solutions on behalf of the people of Tobago.
00:35Mr. Morris said the economy of Tobago is suffering.
00:39It then leaves the Tobago economy in a state of comatose.
00:45As a matter of fact, the construction sector has been decimated in Tobago and you look at unemployment, etc.
00:53because it is these very same contractors who employ many Tobago families, many Tobago people.
01:01He said the THA has questions to answer.
01:05The main question in my mind is that if you were unable to complete a design bill finance contract for
01:13the client,
01:14which is Tobago House of Assembly for $20 million, under what circumstances were you now able to convince any serious
01:23procurement entity that you can in fact complete a contract of higher value?
01:29In a lengthy response, the Division of Housing Settlements and Public Utilities stated it acknowledges the recent statement issued by
01:38the General Contractors Association of Tobago
01:41regarding procurement activities for the Adventure Phase 3 and Rysland Housing Developments.
01:47The Adventure Phase 3 housing development was managed under the former Division of Settlements, Public Utilities and Rural Development.
01:57The procurement began with a publicly advertised expression of interest process open to all qualified contractors across Trinidad and Tobago.
02:08Following evaluation, three contractors were shortlisted, comprising two Tobago-based contractors and one Trinidad-based contractor.
02:18All shortlisted firms were invited to participate in the Request for Proposal stage.
02:25At the RFP stage, two submissions were received, one Tobago-based and one Trinidad-based.
02:33One shortlisted Tobago-based contractor did not submit a proposal.
02:38The evaluation resulted in the award to the Trinidad-based contractor.
02:43The Rysland Housing Development was managed by the Tobago Urban and Rural Housing Corporation Limited.
02:50The process involved an openly advertised RFP and a mandatory site visit, with participation from contractors across Trinidad and Tobago.
03:01The Tobago Urban and Rural Housing Corporation Limited ascertained that several Tobago-based and Trinidad-based contractors were in attendance
03:12at the mandatory site visit.
03:14No submissions were received from any Tobago-based contractors as at the submission deadline date.
03:22Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
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