AG, Greenidge clash over Fip Motilall

‘AG spends more time on propaganda rather than doing his real job,’ says Greenidge

By Kiana Wilburg,
July 28, 2013, By KNews, Filed Under News, Source

“Why was Makeshwar “Fip” Motilall awarded the contract when he has never built a road or hydro plant?”  This was one of the questions raised by Carl Greenidge, the shadow Finance Minister of a Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall responded that Synergy, owned by Motilall, was only awarded the contract on the basis of being the lowest bidder.

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

“If Synergy Holdings was not awarded the contract, the government would have been accused of awarding the contracts to friends and cronies and ignoring the lowest bidder. Yet when the contract was awarded to Synergy, the government was still criticized,” said Nandlall.

However, Greenidge responded, “A contract cannot be awarded solely on the basis of being the lowest bidder. One must meet certain technical and financial requirements, possess the necessary expertise and exhibit professional competence.”

Nandlall told this publication that the road contract for Amaila Falls Hydro Project was advertised publicly by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board.

Three bids were subsequently received from Synergy.Inc, BK International and one from China Railway First Group Co. Ltd (China Rail) and those by China Rail and BK exceeded Synergy’s by several million US dollars.

“Indeed one of the bids was almost twice the value of Synergy’s bids so the differential of the prices of the bids were tremendous.”

In addition, Synergy completed a substantial amount of the most difficult works on the road. Nandlall indicated that Synergy breached certain conditions of the contract and as such, the contract was terminated.
He said that the matter is now before the courts and the government is claiming compensation from Synergy.

He continued, “Synergy, as per the contract. lodged a performance bond to the tune of US$1.5million. Upon termination of the contract, the government has taken steps to recover the monies due under the performance bond .When one takes into account the monies to be recovered from the performance bond there is a possibility that the state will come out the net winner in this equation.”

The Minister of Legal Affairs stated that the procurement process allows for objections to be made and appeals to be lodged against awards. Why was this facility not used if Mr. Greenidge had any contention with regard to which company was awarded the contract? Is it that the Rip Van Winkle of the opposition has now awakened from his intoxicated slumber?”

The Shadow Finance Minister said that the procurement process allows for little to no justice. “I don’t think anything was done with most of the complaints that are made to the tender board. It is a political contract so what is the use in submitting complaints?”

“The Attorney General seems to be spending more time doing public relations work for the government rather than his own work. The fact that Synergy is before the court is no surprise. Before one can even look at the financial part of a contract, one must first ascertain whether the company is competent.

“Motilall had no track record. He has never delivered but was still given eleven extensions so what is Nandlall talking about? His business seems to be more propaganda rather than executing his responsibilities as an Attorney General.”

With regard to questions surrounding why the Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Holdings, Makeshwar “Fip” Motilall, was awarded the contract despite allegations about his competence, the Attorney General said that the Public Relations Officer of Synergy who was Ms. Cathy Hughes, Member of Parliament, is the best person to answer that question.

Carl Greenidge

“Mrs. Hughes, who is an executive member of Synergy, disseminated all the information about Motilall’s suitability for this project and I wonder why didn’t, Mr. Nagamootoo or Mr. Greenidge ask Mrs. Hughes then or ask her now about his suitability.”

Greenidge firmly responded to Nandlall’s comments, stating that he is not concerned with whether Mrs. Hughes was the CEO or the Public Relations Officer. “It is not germane to the question posited. Nandlall is paid to give advice on the law but he behaves in a way that is above reproach and is always bending information to make propaganda for the government.

“He is the only Attorney General that spends most of his time on propaganda rather than doing his real job.”