Phillips defends Highway 2000 contractor

Phillips

THE GOVERNMENT yesterday stoutly defended its decision to do business with French firm Bouygues Group which won the contract to construct phase one of Highway 2000.

Amid questions about the company being investigated for alleged financial irregularities in France, Minister of Transport and Works Dr. Peter Phillips told Parliament that the selection process for the contract "was marked by the highest level of integrity, fairness and transparency".

He said that the Government was aware that Bouygues has been accused and charged between 1995-1997, "with a number of actions, ranging from price fixing and cartelisation and that members of its management team have been charged and are being investigated for various acts of financial irregularities".

Dr. Phillips' statement yesterday followed a press release by Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw, in which he called on Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, under whose Ministry Highway 2000 falls, to explain the circumstances under which the contract was awarded to Bouygues, "at a time when the company is on trial in the courts in France for alleged corruption in the implementation of school building contracts".

He called on Mr. Patterson to suspend any further dealings with Bouygues, until better particulars were furnished in Parliament, "and the people of Jamaica are given adequate assurances that the integrity of the proposed contract is intact".

But in his statement to the House yesterday, Dr. Phillips said that the reports against the company were fully investigated by the financial advisors to the project and they determined that these charges in no way affect Bouygues' ability or capability, or capacity to deliver on its proposal as contained in their bid.

The Minister emphasised that the selection of Bouygues marked the end of an "intensive, transparent and fair" international tender competition managed by UBS Warburg.

He said that in addition, the evaluation exercise benefited from the input of four senior officials provided by the Malaysian Government, under a technical assistance programme with the Government of Jamaica. He said that the evaluation process included the National Contract Commission established by this Government. The Commission supported the recommendation of Bouygues as the preferred bidder.

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