Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
BOUYGUES TRAVAUX Publics Construction Company, contractor for Highway 2000, is following through on its threat to leave the island this year without completing the final phase of a multibillion-dollar road project.
Last December, The Gleaner reported that Bouygues Travaux said it would 'lock shop' at the end of July this year, if TransJamaican Highway (TJH) does not provide the requisite funds for the completion of the May Pen to Williamsfield, Mandeville leg of the highway by that time, when the Portmore leg is slated for completion.
At that time Trevor Jackson, managing director for TJH, a subsidiary of the Jamaican arm of Bouygues Travaux responsible for securing the finances, confirmed that construction on the final leg of the first phase would not begin before mid-2007 when funding is secured.
Since then, the France-based company has started to follow through on its pledge by selling equipment and laying-off workers in preparation for the exodus.
Jean-Noel Foulard, director of Bouygues Travaux in Jamaica (the contractors), confirmed last Wednesday that his company has officially started the process of packing up.
"It's as I said before. Today we have nothing in front of us (so) at the end of the causeway we will leave. It seems Jamaica doesn't need us anymore," Mr. Foulard commented.
WORKERS LAID OFF
He said Bouygues has already sold quarrying and excavation equipment and other property.
Mr. Foulard said 15 expatriates have returned home and scores of hourly and monthly-paid workers have already been laid off as departure becomes more imminent.
Mr. Jackson said Thursday he was aware that the contractors were gearing up to go, but suggested this was due to their contract coming to an end. "Yes, of course, their contracts will be finished in July," he said.
However, Mr. Jackson said the contractors must return when the finances are found. He also stressed that Bouygues will remain a presence in Jamaica through its subsidiary, TJH.
The TJH head had made similar comments during the furore that erupted last year when it was revealed that the contractors may leave the country.
OUTLOOK DRASTICALLY CHANGED
"The company is selling out like they are really saying bye bye," exclaimed Paul Works, chief union delegate for Highway 2000 workers, on Wednesday.
Mr. Works said when The Gleaner broke the news last year, he and his colleagues were sceptical
He added, however, that that outlook has drastically changed. "More workers will be laid off in the next two weeks ... they (had) said that they can't stay here and look up in the sky," Mr. Works said.
Mr. Foulard said if the required funds were secured, his company would abort the planned exodus.
But when asked if Bouygues would return after leaving, he would only say "maybe".
