My life partner and I sit every evening and have a meal together. Choice music in the background and a lively discussion as to many things other than impending nuclear war. I remember growing up in Arima in the 60s, with the arrival of TTT, and my father sitting in front of the Phillips TV having dinner on a TV table. No conversation, but that was the era. Tonight I was the happiest man alive as part of the evening meal was the best ever, zaboca boat. It was a perfect texture and taste. I think my life partner has the skill of the 'cocoa men'. What joy!
'I am a Government Minister, I am not classed as a civilian'.
The words of the gun range Minister. I just want to say that during my five [5] years as an MP and a Cabinet Minister I never once received any security briefing, training or other involvement by a security agency. I never got a phone call, memo or pamphlet outlining how to deal with a security situation, handling a weapon, 'boo too' or pepper spray. Neither did any member of my immediate family. What is it with this current batch that feel that they are under threat and require all this hype with security and guns and bullet proof vests?
The infamous village of Enterprise was part of my constituency and we would visit on a very regular basis, without even a sling shot. In fact, the MP's office was located smack dab in Enterprise. I will not be so naive to think that sometimes it may have been dangerous or downright stupid to do some of the things we did but say what, we did it. The residents of Enterprise were great, as many were in the constituency. Yes, there are certain persons who were involved in other activities but for the majority of people and their families it was the usual business of getting through the day, week and month.
Well we reach. This Tobago ferry business has now reached epic proportions. Let's do a quick recap and then you can determine your own position. Of course I am biased and will tell the story from my own perspective but the facts are the facts.
- 2014, the PATT invites tenders for the supply of a RORO cargo vessel of a certain minimum specification.
- Tenders are received, evaluated and recommendations made. Over ten [10] submittals were received. A representative from the Central Tenders Board sat on the evaluation committee and a recommendation made and submitted to the Ministry of Transport.
- Ministry of Transport takes a note to the Cabinet asking for approval for the required funding as determined by the recommended tender.
- Award is made and a Charter Party Agreement is drawn up and all parties agree to the terms and conditions and we have a contract.
- The vessel is inspected by both an independent marine surveyor and an officer of the PATT prior to the signing of the final contract.
- There are certain logistical issues that have to be sorted out.
- From all reports the cargo service is working well and in 1030 days operation the vessel has mechanical issues, where she did not sail, for six [6] of those days.
- 2016, the Charter Party Agreement for the Galicia is now expired and the vessel is on a month to month agreement.
- The Warrior Spirit agreement has expired and is not renewed and is therefore taken off the scheduled run.
- The arrangement with Bay Ferries, the Canadian ferry management contractor for the fast passenger ferries, is terminated.
- A new agreement to replace Bay Ferries is signed with a local company, a sole select tender is issued and the award is made to a company with one employee. The scope is to provide services and labor to run an efficient service on the fast ferries.
- The PATT goes out for tenders for the cargo ship service which is currently being serviced by the Galicia. However this tender is being publicized at the same time that the owners of the Galicia are being told that, no problem, the Charter Party Agreement will be renewed. This is done not once but twice. On receipt of tenders for the services both tenders are scrapped after tenders are in fact received.
- The owners of the Galicia then realize that what is being told to them, that a new Charter Party Agreement is being arranged, is not in fact so and they exercise their right to seek a more viable contract elsewhere.
- After much discussion the owners of the Galicia remove the vessel and she sails out the Bocas for the last time on 21st April, 2017.
- An interim solution is put into place with the leasing of an aged cargo ship and a barge. Neither can carry passengers so the sailings are at a great inconvenience to the users.
- The PATT goes out for yet another tender this time, according to the PATT, only one submittal is received based on the tender invitation. However, numerous unsolicited bids are received and these are considered, one being from the company Bridgeman Services out of Canada. Was the PATT tendering procedure followed as was done in the award for the Galicia?
- The PATT Chairman says that the rule governing emergency procurement was initiated because of the dire situation. In 2014 this same rule was attempted but the Central Tenders Board refused to allow for this procedure and the procurement proceeded under normal tendering rules.
- After much ado an award is made for two [2] vessels. One RO/RO Cargo vessel, the Cabo Star and one [1] high speed ferry, the Ocean Flower 2.
- Both are aged 29 yrs and 21 yrs respectively. One question would be was there a maximum age limit for the vessels on the tender spec? In 2014 the tender had a maximum age of 15 yrs for any vessel being offered. Apparently the last tenders put out by the PATT did in fact have a maximum age threshold of 15 yrs.
- The lease costs for either vessel is not in keeping with the norm so what were the other bids? Higher or lower?
- There were a number of reasons for terminating the contract for the Galicia. The vessel was not suitable because of her size which created problems when mooring at PoS. Her engines were damaging the structure at the Hyatt Hotel where she was moored. Nothing has changed, the same mooring is being used for the replacement vessel which is the same size as the Galicia.
- The owners of the Galicia demanded a longer term Charter Party Agreement, 18 mths, which the PATT felt was onerous with the Minister of Ferries actually referring to it as 'economic blackmail'. The term for this current vessel[s] is for 12 months in the first instance with an option to renew for a further 3 yrs.
Poor Trinidad and more so Tobago. The inter-island ferry service is on the verge of collapsing. At present, there is only one passenger ferry operating (the TT Express). The other vessel will not be back in operation until the new year, perhaps. Should the TT Express not meet the now rescheduled dry docking in September there is a distinct risk of the vessel being taken out of class and prevented from operating. The TT Express currently has propulsion engine issues that will not just disappear.
And so the rock continues to bob and weave through bacchanal after bacchanal. No sooner than one issue is off the front page another blockbuster surfaces.
This will continue, it will not stop until we change the contract with the people, the Constitution! It is issues like the failed ferry service that literally affect tens of thousands of citizens who do not know what exactly is going on behind the scenes with their taxpayer's money. If we had a Constitution that worked then all of a sudden everyone would be aware of everything at all times for fear of being caught out.
It's the weekend people, goodnight and good luck!
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