Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
This fire truck at the Waterford Fire Station in Portmore, St. Catherine, like many others, breaks down frequently. Here, an electrician tries to get this one going again. - FILE
THE GOVERNMENT has awarded a contract for US$9.2 million ($550m) to Rosenbauer America for the procurement of 33 firefighting vehicles for the Jamaica Fire Brigade.
Local Government Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, made
the announcement during a statement in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Mrs. Simpson Miller told the House that while a date has not yet been set for the contract signing, the units are expected to be delivered within 12 months of the contract being signed. The first batch of eight vehicles is slated to arrive in the island within eight months after the contract signing.
UNDER FIRE
Mrs. Simpson Miller, however, came under fire from the Opposition, who questioned the suitability of the vehicles to Jamaica.
Opposition Member of Parliament, Andrew Gallimore said:
"... I want to know if the Government does not think that it is imprudent to purchase left-hand (drive) vehicles as emergency vehicles?"
However, Mrs. Simpson Miller pointed out that she was advised by the fire brigade what types of vehicles to buy. Mr. Gallimore, however, suggested that the minister should reconsider signing the contract.
"It is quite interesting that when it suits us, we quarrel about the time and the delay and at another time, we call for the delay. I don't think the men and women of the Jamaica fire service right now can take any further delay," she responded.
She, however, promised that she would look at renegotiating with a view to purchasing right hand drive vehicles.
The minister was put under further heat from Opposition Spokesman on Commerce, Karl Samuda, who asked why only one entity tendered a bid for the contract.
FIVE SUBMISSIONS MADE
The minister had disclosed earlier that five submissions were made for the contract with only one of the five tenders meeting the criteria.
Mr. Samuda argued that it was inconceivable that a contract of US$9 million would be ignored by qualified suppliers.
"It is highly unlikely that a company with the reputation of Renault who is one of the best in the world would have such a level of incompetence that they would fail to qualify for a basic contract," he said.
"Minister, I don't care if you fly high or low, something is wrong! Minister, with the greatest of respect, it is insufficient to explain the basis on which the supply was chosen," said Samuda.
