The hunt’s back on for a passenger ferry.
The recent tender exercise for a new Tobago ferry has failed to produce one and a ministerial team mandated by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to find a vessel immediately is now hunting overseas.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s office Stuart Young, confirming this at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, said an announcement on the matter is expected in a few weeks.
Seeking to calm fears of a crisis following the tender’s recent failure, he added,”We’re disappointed. But there’s no crisis. The T&T Express is operating, we’re working on contingencies. Other vessels can make the trip also. We’re supplementing sailings with the water taxi and will do all necessary to ensure minimum disruption.”
Young’s revelation of the latest—and sixth- failure of a tender for a ferry comes three weeks after Rowley, at the People’s National Movement’s convention, promised an additional passenger ferry would soon be available.
Need for a ferry arose after Government cut the contract for Bridgemans’ Services LP’s Ocean Flower 2 at mid year. Bridgemans’ again participated in a subsequent new open competitive tender which was issued, in which a total five companies offered 12 vessels.
But after the evaluation, Young said, “Unfortunately, once again the tenders procedure failed to provide a ferry—the sixth time the process managed by the Port Authority with the Works Ministry has failed to do so.” (See Tobago Today inside)
Previous tenders by the past People’s Partnership and current Government also failed.
Why did the tender fail? Young said there may have been people seeking to influence the outcome.
“It’s no coincidence six tenders failed. The Christian Mouttet report on the PATT found untoward situations - I dare say corruption. The PATT is unfortunately hamstrung by those who may want to influence systems,” he said.
Young said when the failure became known Rowley took charge in the last week, mandating a Cabinet sub-committee to take over from the port and get a ferry in the shortest possible time to guarantee service over the Christmas-Carnival season. Rowley gave a date by which to get the ferry.
The team comprises Young and Ministers Colm Imbert (Finance), Robert le Hunte (Public Utilities) and Shamfa Cudjoe (Tourism).
The team is working with 13 international shipping brokers. They’ve contacted 10 international shippers and written consuls of Canada, Australia, Japan and Italy to assist.
“Some brokers have responded. We’re having discussions which are expected to bear fruit. We expect to return in the next couple weeks with an announcement—we may get better news than a leasing arrangement,” he added.
On whether PATT heads will “roll” following the tender failure, Young said, “This Government always ensures people are held accountable,”
He said the T&T Spirit, recently dry-docked, returns in the first quarter of 2018. Perceived problems on the cargo ferry will be sorted out, he also assured.