{"id":33047,"date":"2024-03-07T23:09:16","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T04:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev?p=33047"},"modified":"2024-03-07T10:14:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T15:14:47","slug":"pintard-not-satisfied-at-all-on-maritime-contracts-answers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/pintard-not-satisfied-at-all-on-maritime-contracts-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"Pintard \u2018not satisfied at all\u2019 on maritime contracts answers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bahamas<\/p>\n

THE Opposition\u2019s leader yesterday pledged to \u201ctake up\u201d two controversial maritime contracts with Parliament\u2019s top spending watchdog after being left \u201cnot at all satisfied\u201d with the Government\u2019s answers.<\/p>\n

Michael Pintard told Tribune Business he plans to pursue a deeper investigation through the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), on which the Free National Movement (FNM) holds the majority, into the awarding of multi-million dollar bids to DigieSoft Technologies and Adolpha Maritime Group.<\/p>\n

Speaking after Jobeth Coleby-Davis, minister of energy and transport, responded to the Opposition\u2019s questions on the contracts in the House of Assembly yesterday, he noted that \u201cno less than a senior public servant has taken issue with the Government\u2019s explanation of the matter\u201d and \u201cthe way in which these matters were being dealt with\u201d.<\/p>\n

That refers to a legal claim launched against the Government by Antoinette Thompson, former permanent secretary in Mrs Coleby-Davis\u2019 ministry, and Mr Pintard said of the answers he received: \u201cWe will continue to investigate these matters because the way in which they were answered, it\u2019s very clear they [the Government] are not being transparent about that\u2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not at all satisfied or assured with the facts as the Government is reporting them. These are matters that are the subject of criticism from within the public service, senior public servants, who felt the process did not follow the proper procedure.\u201d<\/p>\n

And he pointed out that the Government\u2019s online procurement portal showed another company, Infrasoft, had won one of the bids.<\/p>\n

That was the DigieSoft Technologies contract, which committed the Government to pay $3.355m for an online portal to collect the 4 percent Port Department fee levied on foreign yacht charters. That con- tract, as well as the annual $3.57m award to Adolpha Maritime Group for the maintenance of navigational aids in Nassau and other harbours across The Bahamas, were both cited for procedural irregularities in Ms Thompson\u2019s initial October 27, 2023, legal action.<\/p>\n

Mrs Coleby-Davis, responding to Mr Pintard\u2019s questions, said: \u201cI wish to affirm that these matters were discussed in detail during the Budget debate and subject to a transparent public tender process with the outcomes disclosed to the Ministry of Finance. I assure you, honourable member, that there has been no intention to with- hold information on these contracts from the Bahamian people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked why Infrasoft was named as the winning bidder on the Government\u2019s procurement platform, the minister added: \u201cI can confirm that following a competitive bidding process the winning bidder was DigieSoft Technologies, not Infrasoft.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was the result of a thorough two-round bidding process as recommended by the Tenders Board comprised of senior government officials. As the minister of energy and transport, my role did not involve participation in the Tenders Board. Hence my comments are based on the process\u2019 integrity and fairness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Pintard then suggested that DigieSoft Technologies appeared to have \u201cno apparent track record in this area to handle a project of this size and scope\u201d, questioning how many technical staff it has and how many similar projects it has undertaken.<\/p>\n

Mrs Coleby-Davis said that after \u201cthorough due diligence\u201d and evaluation by the Tenders Board it was determined that DigieSoft\u2019s principals had \u201cextensive experience and qualification in computer information systems\u201d with the company \u201ccomprised of a team of highly skilled developers drawn from an impressive local talent pool\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have worked on several similar projects, and the company\u2019s consistent positive feedback from clients serves as a testament to their capability and reliability for this project,\u201d she added. As for Adolpha Maritime Group, the minister said it was among the two finalist bidders that were shortlisted from an initial field of seven.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese two bids underwent a thorough review by the Tenders Board, which is comprised of senior government officials following a comprehensive evaluation. The Board recommended awarding the contract to Adolpha Maritime Group based on the company\u2019s compelling written proposal and cost effectiveness,\u201d Mrs Coleby-Davis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe annual contract value is $3.5m subject to review, performance monitoring and oversight by the Port Department. This contract encompasses the repair, replacement and maintenance of navigational aids across The Bahamas, an archipelago nation with 200 aids to navigate. These aids are crucial for ensuring the safe navigation of vessels within our borders.<\/p>\n

\u201cAddressing deterioration and non-functionality of many navigational aids is of paramount importance for our country\u2019s safety and navigational integrity\u2026. The contract is performance based, has key performance indicators and is managed by the Port Department. They [Adolpha] have to pass phases.\u201d<\/p>\n

more<\/a><\/p>\n

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image: pexels-sascha-hormel<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bahamas THE Opposition\u2019s leader yesterday pledged to \u201ctake up\u201d two controversial maritime contracts with Parliament\u2019s top spending watchdog after being left \u201cnot at all satisfied\u201d with the Government\u2019s answers. Michael…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1091,"featured_media":33048,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[250],"tags":[121],"class_list":["post-33047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-articles","tag-caribbean"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-sascha-hormel-1095814-scaled-e1709849437780.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6u9Qa-8B1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":26649,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/no-stone-left-unturned-on-govt-accountability\/","url_meta":{"origin":33047,"position":0},"title":"No stone left unturned’ on Gov’t accountability","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"March 2, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas The Opposition's leader yesterday pledged to \"leave no stone unturned\" in holding the Government accountable while asserting that the Public Accounts Committee is now \"rolling\" into action. Michael Pintard, speaking after Cabinet ministers read out written answers to multiple questions posed by the Opposition during the House of Assembly\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/pexels-mikhail-nilov-8297031-scaled-e1677796822130.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/pexels-mikhail-nilov-8297031-scaled-e1677796822130.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/pexels-mikhail-nilov-8297031-scaled-e1677796822130.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/pexels-mikhail-nilov-8297031-scaled-e1677796822130.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31240,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/pintard-publish-procurement-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":33047,"position":1},"title":"Pintard: Publish procurement report","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"November 23, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard yesterday called on the Davis administration to follow the law\u00a0and report on the millions of dollars worth of contracts it has awarded. \u201cWhat is stopping the prime minister from publishing the first annual procurement report due October 2022?\u201d Pintard asked in a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668858-scaled-e1699564529399.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668858-scaled-e1699564529399.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668858-scaled-e1699564529399.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668858-scaled-e1699564529399.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35025,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/pintard-condemns-blatant-disregard-for-procurement-laws-in-bpl-reform-process\/","url_meta":{"origin":33047,"position":2},"title":"Pintard condemns \u201cblatant disregard\u201d for procurement laws in BPL reform process","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"July 4, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas Opposition Leader Michael Pintard raised concerns yesterday regarding the Davis administration\u2019s energy reform exercise, arguing that while some elements underwent competitive bidding, other critical aspects blatantly disregarded procurement laws. Energy and Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis informed Parliament during her budget debate contribution on Wednesday that the government has contracted\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Law-scrabble-tiles-CQF-Avocat-Pexels-e1649276824460.jpeg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Law-scrabble-tiles-CQF-Avocat-Pexels-e1649276824460.jpeg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Law-scrabble-tiles-CQF-Avocat-Pexels-e1649276824460.jpeg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Law-scrabble-tiles-CQF-Avocat-Pexels-e1649276824460.jpeg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31228,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/incomplete-pintard-slams-governments-procurement-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":33047,"position":3},"title":"INCOMPLETE: Pintard slams government\u2019s procurement report","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"November 23, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas NASSAU, BAHAMAS \u2014 The Opposition has slammed the government for releasing what it described as an \u201cincomplete\u201d procurement report, arguing that it simply does not provide the requisite information legally required.\u00a0 Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard in a statement: \u201cThis Davis-led PLP never fails to underwhelm and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31235,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/pintard-criticizes-government-over-saudi-loan-and-non-compliance-with-procurement-act\/","url_meta":{"origin":33047,"position":4},"title":"Pintard criticizes government over Saudi Loan and non-compliance with Procurement Act","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"November 23, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas NASSAU, BAHAMAS \u2013 Opposition leader Michael Pintard is slamming the Davis administration over recent comments regarding a $70 million Saudi loan and the government\u2019s delay in complying with the Procurement Act.\u00a0 Pintard said in a statement, \u201cInstead of doing the right thing and offering a heartfelt apology for them\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5673488-scaled-e1692322490716.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5673488-scaled-e1692322490716.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5673488-scaled-e1692322490716.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5673488-scaled-e1692322490716.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29971,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/pintard-criticizes-govt-for-roof-collapse\/","url_meta":{"origin":33047,"position":5},"title":"Pintard Criticizes Gov\u2019t for Roof Collapse","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"September 14, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas Official Opposition Leader Michael Pintard slammed Prime Minister Philip Davis and Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears over the debacle of an unfinished roof collapsing on a building on the campus of the R.M. Bailey Senior High School earlier this month and characterized comments made by both an \u201castounding\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pexels-pixabay-48882-scaled-e1694731439718.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pexels-pixabay-48882-scaled-e1694731439718.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pexels-pixabay-48882-scaled-e1694731439718.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pexels-pixabay-48882-scaled-e1694731439718.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33047","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1091"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33047"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33047\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33056,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33047\/revisions\/33056"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33048"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}