JCC renews procurement call

The Joint Consultative Council (JCC) for the construction industry yesterday renewed its call for the implementation of the recently proclaimed procurement legislation.

The JCC issued this call as it referred to a newspaper report which alleged that the National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco) awarded a $346 million contract to a company which is one of five firms facing legal action in relation to alleged bid-rigging and cartel-like behaviour.

The five were fingered in the award of ten contracts worth $200 million for projects on behalf of the Estate Management Business Development Company Limited.

These activities are alleged to have occurred under the former People’s Partnership government. The JCC said once the new procurement legislation is implemented, “it can kick start the process of transparency not only in the construction industry but in other facets of public enterprise.”

The JCC also believes this can, “lead to more efficient expenditure of now limited national finances.”

At the same time, the JCC appealed to Finance Minister Colm Imbert to properly recognise the State’s indebtedness.

The group also asked Imbert to release funds to all State companies that have long standing overdue payments to contractors and consultants for completed, certified and audited works.

The JCC claims it is still owed $1 billion by Government.