Mac insists CHEC to do port
Posted on Fri, 06/29/2012 - 08:55 in Politics
(CNS): Regardless of the issues and controversy surrounding the decision to keep negotiating with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the development of cruise berthing facilities in George Town, the premier says it will be the company that partners with government to do the project. McKeeva Bush was adamant on Thursday that the development will go ahead with the Chinese partner and no one will stop it. Bush said he was determined to get value for money for the Cayman Islands with this project and not follow “some UN ideal” regarding procurement. He described Chinese money as the cheapest and CHEC as the best partner for the job. “I am not going to back down,” he said. “They will not stop it.”
Bush has been informed by the UK overseas territories minister that the FCO will not support the port project until the premier gets the process back in line with what Henry Bellingham has described as best procurement practice. However, Bush is determined to stick with the Beijing based firm, which emerged as Bush’s preferred partner following his sudden termination of talks with GLF Construction weeks ahead of the possible start of the cruise port development last April.
The firm has caused controversy across the region because of its parent company’s World Bank ban and as a result of allegations of corruption in its business dealings, as well as a plethora of other issues relating to the infrastructure projects it is involved in throughout the Caribbean, where numerous problems have arisen.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Bush was adamant that no one would stop the partnership with CHEC and the business plan would be submitted to the CTC, the auditor general or any other regulator. The premier said he was determined to start the crucial facilities and had spoken about a November start date.
Announcing that DECCO, McAlpine and Hurlstone would be joining CHEC on the upland part of the project, Bush said there would be no “soup kitchens” and jobs would go to Caymanians. He said CHEC would also be obligated to purchase materials on island where possible -- all of which would ensure that the money stayed here.
“This is the type of investment that impacts our people the way they need it most, with jobs for those out of work, and business for companies that are struggling,” he told the Legislative Assembly.
He claimed to be the first administration to progress to a new port, though objections by the FCO might still prevent that from becoming a reality, despite Bush’s insistence.
“We are determined to get the best deal for Cayman, and to secure best value for money. We will not shirk from full examination of what we are doing, by the Central Tenders Committee, the auditor general, and any other duly empowered regulatory authority,” he said.
He said Chinese money was the cheapest and no one was going to stop the project as it would bring enormous benefits to the country.
“There will be a thousand people employed on that dock when it is in full swing and the vast majority of them will be Caymanian,” he promised as he pointed to the criticisms he was receiving for working with the Chinese firm when he said the whole world was dealing with China.
“What? So you gonna believe these donkey faced people who talk about corruption,” he asked. “They are some of the ugliest people in the world,” he added as he quoted from the bible and accused those opposing the port development of “dirty ways”.
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Mac, your port project is a
Albert Jackson built a cruise
Money staying on Island is
A word of caution folks.
A word of caution folks. Senseless remarks like "donkey faced" and "carrots and milk" are nothing more or less than very deliberate attempts to divert attention away from the real issues. The devil is indeed clever and we are surely dealing with a professional "devil worshipper" here.
“What? So you gonna believe
“What? So you gonna believe these donkey faced people who talk about corruption,”
Yes Mr. Premier, I am going to believe them.
Just a little thought from
Just a little thought from one of the ugly donkey face ones: When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days the Devil tried to get Jesus to do stuff by quoting scripture to him. The KEY is that the Devil misquoted scripture by twisting the meaning. I'll bet the Devil knows the Bible better than almost any person. Notice what Jesus did however - he quoted scripture back, IN PROPER CONTEXT. The lesson here for us? It's not enough to know the Bible, you should know what it means and what the spirit of God's Word says. To misquote and misapply scripture to justify one's own position, is akin to BLASPHEMY. The apostle Paul tells us that “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (II Cor. 11:14). So beware of those who come to you with scripture and try to justify their positions. AMEN! or HEE HAW, as I like to say.
Jesus didn't abide
Hi, it's me, Ugly Dnkey
Hi, it's me, Ugly Dnkey Face. Just want to put my 2 cents in. I agree with the posters who are upset at this latest tirade. While highly embarrassing to all right-thinking Caymanians, this tirade is not so shocking anymore as we have come to expect nothing better from a fifth-grade educated person who is in deep over his head and lashing out at everyone and blaming us all for his own mistakes. HERE IS WHAT IS DOWNRIGHT SHOCKING. That 3 local companies, Decco, McAlpine and Hurlston, are willing to work with this Chinese company mired in controversy / bribery scandals in other countries, resulting so far in 1 imprisonment and 1 execution of those found guilty of accepting bribes, and the questions surrounding this company in neighbouring countries regarding how their contracts were awarded. How is it that, in the face of all this controversy, these 3 local companies seem willing to work with this company? Do they have no consideration for their own corporate reputations and are quite willing to risk their good name, by being involved with a company whose parent company and subsidiaries have been BANNED by the World Bank and who have been implicated in bribery scandals as reported in the Press? AND HERE IS ANOTHER THING THAT IS CONFUSING - as far as I can tell, there was no public invitation circulated by Government to invite ALL local contractors to bid on any of the upland works. I thought the Great Elio Solomon said local companies would have the chance to get some of the upland works and in turn many locals would be hired - the impression given was that it would be a fair opportunity for local companies and locals alike to apply for some of the works. So just how were these 3 contractors selected by Government, who decided they were the best choice - was it Government or CHEC, and based on what criteria? How do we know they will offer value for money, over other local contractors? We have a right to know how this selection came about. Further, the Cayman Contractors Association recently issued a letter to the Government, expressing grave concern over the choice of developer given the controversial news about them in other jurisdictions, and possible consequences down the road for Cayman and its local construction industry if this significant project is not handled properly. So could someone please clarify whether these 3 local companies are members of the CCA, or not? If they are, are they deliberately going against the CCA's concerns and winging it on their own, with no thought to what is best for Cayman or even their own reputations by doing business with this company? If they are not CCA members, is this the reason why they have been selected to share in the upland works? Are the CCA members being penalized by Government for speaking out vocally and not supporting its choice of developer? Could someone who has knowledge of the situation please clarify whether or not these 3 companies are CCA members - because it does not make sense why they would be willing to go against the CCA's concerns and even risk their reputations to work with this developer? Or do they not care about any of that or the possible consequences down the road to either Cayman or themselves, from doing business with this controversial company? Signed: Ugly Donkey Face Genuinely Seeking Clarification.
Decco, McAlpine and
Decco, McAlpine and Hurlston are not members of the CCA which has come out strongly against bringing China Harbour Engineering Company to Cayman and, in fact, one of this group was actually ousted from the CCA in the past. Lets hope they make lots of money on this project as the minute CHEC is established in Cayman they will be bidding against these very companies for future work - very shortsighted on their part.
It is also sad to see that major companies such as these are obviously more interested in immediate financial gain than protecting the rights of their fellow Cayman Contractors in the years to come. Its bad enough that small contractors have to compete with large corporate companies with deep pockets but when these very companies assist a company owned and financed by The Peoples Republic of China to enter the small Cayman market, it is a true disgrace and a blight on their reputations!
Another important question -
Another important question - didn't the FCO clearly tell this Government that the process needs to be brought back in line with international bidding standards and the largest contract in the history of these islands cannot be handled the way Government is presently handling it (selective negotiations with hand-picked companies based on unclear criteria), and therefore it should be put back out to public tender to ensure value for money? It would seem Government and now the 3 local contractors involved, do not feel the directives of the FCO should be heeded (never mind CHEC because they do not seem to believe in fair-play so it makes no sense wasting any breath on them). It simply beggars belief that the few local entities involved, along with Government, would continue to defy what those who are ultimately in charge of these islands have clearly directed to be done. They all seem to be going along merrily on their way doing whatever they please. They might all be in for a rude awakening when the hammer falls.
I forsee the way this will
I forsee the way this will play out is that Mac is desperately trying to link the local contractors into the port picture because he realises just how big a mistake he has made.
The three local companies will agree now and then closer to the time, they will, with Mac's assistance and full blessing, put a package together that shows they can do it without the Chinese.
Mac will act all surprised, praise the knights in shining armour for a brilliant plan and go back and cancel the contract, cost us another lawsuit, but at least save the day in the eyes of the many of us out here that fear for far more social repurcussions of involving the Chinese in our community on sach a large project.
This is just phase one folks, the plans have been drawn up, and the timing is going to take us right into the election run up...
More good questions which
More good questions which will never be answered.
UDP from hence forth shall be
Did I hear a rumor that it is
Did I hear a rumor that it is 30 million? That would explain a lot.
No, 8% of 300 million is only
No, 8% of 300 million is only 24 million!
I hope that doesn't mean it's
I hope that doesn't mean it's now going on $400 million.
The elephant in the room is
The elephant in the room is still corruption.
It needs to be dealt with.......soon.
Donkey face. Donkey face!
Could CHEC be investigation
Could CHEC be investigation #2 for irregularities? Cause I have never seen someone so hardup on a company despite everything that should concern a government with doing business with one. Let's look at some of this:
1) Son of own indicted in India I believe for bribing officials.
2) World Bank ban of CHEC for corruption
3) Other Governments fighting to get out of CHEC deals including our neighbour Jamaica
XXXXX
I hear some people say about all the jobs we are going to get but at what cost? 50 years of CHEC!!!
This deal is about selling
This deal is about selling your soul for the here and now. This government knows it is in trouble unless it gets some projects in.
Lord help us. We have a
Lord help us. We have a donkey's brain running our country.
Donkey's brain. Could be much
You mean like the ass of the
You mean like the ass of the ass?
I believe it's just the
I believe it's just the face...brains not included.
After CHEC bribes someone, I
One thing is for sure - if
Batabing take the gun leave
Batabing take the gun leave the cannolli.
So true. One has got to
So true. One has got to wonder why the Premier is so doggedly persuing this....
Actually one hardly has to
Actually one hardly has to wonder any more.
Like I aid earlier, maybe his
I hope that whoever briefs
Oh for goodness sakes, just
Oh for goodness sakes, just get the gosh darn thing built...and hurry up!!!!
We know exactly how you feel,
We know exactly how you feel, Mac.
I am Donkey Face
I am Donkey Face
No. . . I am Donkey face!
No. . . I am Donkey face!
Will the real Donkey Face
Will the real Donkey Face please stand up!
I AM standing up!
I AM standing up!
Me too!
Me too!
No... I am Donkey Face
I'm starting to feel jealous.
I'm starting to feel jealous.
We cannot afford another year
This madman's statement about
This madman's statement about the British would be funny, if it was not so disrespectful. I am so ashamed of him and his rantings and ravings, I wonder if he has been tutored by Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, aided by Michael Misick. If the people of his district re-elect him now, there should be a cansal the width of the Suez cut between West Bay and the rest of the island and fees to cross over should be so high they will be unable to pay them. I listened to the Education Minister on the radio on Friday and wonder how such a well-spoken man with an obvious college education can openly support this idiot. My mother used to warn me of my company and one of her phrases stands out, "When you lie down with the dogs, you must get fleas". Now I understand that and she is now 86 years old.
Please, Please Mr. Taylor and Lord Bellingham, remove this man from power immediately.
These comments are so full of
These comments are so full of knee-jerk reactions they are becoming tiresome and predictable. The Island desperately needs docks for the Genesis-class ships, unless Cayman wants to kiss the cruise industry goodbye and the 1,000-plus jobs that depend on it. Maybe Mac is the only man with the energy to get the job done; in any case, everyone else has failed so far.
If the proposed syndicate can get the docks built at a proper cost and in a transparent way, then well done, I say. The alternative of further delays will have serious negative financial consequences for this vulnerable economy, and when all is said and done, at least Mac clearly understands this, hence his aggression on the issue.
What would be more embarassing is if the docks fail to go ahead, yet again, at which point I can't imagine the Florida Cruise Association would be able to suppress their laughter at our serial and endless failures. With this particlular issue, I find myself on Mac's side 100%, as should anyone who has Cruise Ship related exposure.
"These comments are so full
"These comments are so full of knee-jerk reactions they are becoming tiresome and predictable."
You are referring to Bush I assume.
Your convenient lack of logic
I know we have some dense
I know we have some dense people here in Cayman but to say:
Maybe Mac is the only man with the energy to get the job done; in any case, everyone else has failed so far.
Yeah! The others failed because as soon as your favorite person got into office, he scrapped every plan to build any docking facilities which cost "us" you and I millions of dollars. What you should be doing is talking honestly to Mr. Bush explaining to him that no matter how much he rants and raves about continuing with the Chinese and pissing off the people who really call the shots where Cayman is concerned, he should shut his Donkey Face and try to gracefully extricate himself from the untenable position he has gotten himself into. Please tell him not to make the assumption that because the FCO has been mostly very quiet about his insulting remarks, and disrespectful ranting, that they are intimidated by him. If Mr. Bush has two grams of anything left in that void above his neck that he should shut his mouth and maybe people will be a little more sympathetic and could pull the same shit he did after the First Cayman Bank fiasco. Everybody felt sorry for "Keevie" The only difference is that this time it might not work because he has pissed off too many people who really cared about him.
What you don't need is
What you don't need is another Caymankind built, overpriced, underused, and government (you guys) funded turtle farm where just the ones working(or something) there benefit and everyone one else pays and pays and pays. This is a prime example of a good idea that was done very, poorly with no thought of getting it done the best way for the best price. do you really want more of that? Or do you still work at the turtle farm?
anon 1047 I agree fully with
anon 1047 I agree fully with you that we are dragging our feets on getting a cruise dock but lets get things straight we had a deal in place and the Premeir dropped it. The group he is planning to do the job insted has questions about it. In the end we should have already had the dock strated until the premeir decided to go (And cost the Cayman Islands money) with the Chinese.
I have posted several times
I have posted several times about the dock in Puerto Limon in Costa Rica. We took a cruise on one of Carnival's largest ships and we went right in and tied up at a long concrete pier. As we are such a small island with all our countrymen struggling to survive the downturn, we should be concentrating on a simple scheme to accommodate the cruise ships and still maintain our popularity with the cruise tourism. Dealing with CHEC is putting the entire Caymanian life, as we know it, in jeopardy. When we get 500 Communist Chinese in our little island, we will no longer be known as the British West Indies, we will be known as the new Chinese islands.
Doing something is not always
Doing something is not always better than doing nothing unless you have never done anything good. Then its still not good just something. Which in Caymans case means just another Cayman airways, turtle farm, overpriced and little used waste of money thats just a sad excuse to pay a few Caymanians a lot to keep it going. Sounds like your one of them. Good for you. For now.
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