{"id":5221,"date":"2018-04-18T14:48:29","date_gmt":"2018-04-18T19:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/projectcalls.com\/?p=5221"},"modified":"2018-04-18T14:48:29","modified_gmt":"2018-04-18T19:48:29","slug":"cruise-project-progresses-in-secrecy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/cruise-project-progresses-in-secrecy\/","title":{"rendered":"Cruise project progresses in secrecy"},"content":{"rendered":"

(CNS): The government is maintaining a veil of secrecy around the progress of the cruise berthing project, despite being very close to declaring a preferred bidder. Despite the massive public interest in what will be the biggest ever infrastructure project in Cayman Islands\u2019 history, the tendering process has been far from transparent. CNS has learned that since pre-qualifying nine bidders, the ministry has narrowed down the potential bidders to just three and is favouring a local consortium headed by a well-known general contractor who is partnering with two cruise lines and a marine engineer.<\/span><\/p>\n

CNS has submitted questions to the ministry and the new\u00a0Central Procurement Office<\/a>\u00a0about the process but has received no response from either entity to any questions, even though the project has moved forward over the last few weeks.<\/p>\n

Although the PPM government throughout the last administration had insisted the project would be transparent, the details of the pre-qualification period, the bidders that were invited to submit what has been described as \u201coutline solutions\u201d, and the more recent re-assessment to narrow the field to only three potential bidders have not been posted on the\u00a0new procurement website<\/a>. It is understood, however, that China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), which was one of the nine pre-qualified bidders, has been eliminated.<\/p>\n

Sources have told CNS that government is very close to announcing the consortium that it favours to begin the controversial project, although the public still has no idea about the costs and design or any of the parameters of the project. The government has continued to pursue the goal to build piers in George Town Harbour regardless of opposition to the project. The significant environmental damage, the undefined costs to the public purse, the impact on existing infrastructure and attractions have led to opposition from across the community, including the tourism sector.<\/p>\n

During the original public consultation those who took part in the survey came down three to one against the project but government has consistently ignored that result.<\/p>\n

Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller, who is the chair of the Public Accounts Committee, has stated that \u201cgovernment seems hell-bent on this project\u201d but it is refusing to give any details and is misleading the public about the need for the costly development.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe public should have some idea of what we are getting,\u201d Miller told CNS, as he questioned why there is so much secrecy. He said the opposition had made three verbal requests and two written requests for a presentation on the issue but he said there has been no responses to those requests.<\/p>\n

He added that in addition to the secrecy of the process, he understood that the Port Authority had also been marginalised and was not involved as it should be in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n

Miller said government needed to be investing in education and the criminal justice system instead of the cruise port because it was unnecessary. He also questioned the government\u2019s justification for the project given recent news from the\u00a0cruise industry<\/a>\u00a0that the next generation of mega-cruise ships can and are tendering.<\/p>\n

\u201cGovernment is deliberately misinforming the public,\u201d Miller said, as he urged it to reconsider its priorities.<\/p>\n

Kenneth Bryan, the independent MLA for George Town Central, the constituency where the development will take place, also noted the lack of transparency. Speaking to CNS, he stated that he, too, believes the public should be told what is going on.<\/p>\n

Raising his concerns that the costs and potential environmental damage are causing the government to move the project forward behind closed doors, he said the silence was an indication that there \u201cwas obviously something to hide\u201d because government appears to be choosing to avoid the process.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are far too many rumours circulating about what is or is not happening. The people in my constituency and nationally need to know what is going on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The recent introduction of a Procurement Law and an office to oversee major capital projects has emerged out of a long history of questions surrounding major public development projects in Cayman and allegations of mismanagement and the appearance, if not the reality, of corruption. But as government makes plans to embark on the biggest public project to date, at a time when there are more checks and balances written into the system, the process is still shrouded in secrecy.<\/p>\n

\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Image:\u00a0 Pixabay (Pexels<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(CNS): The government is maintaining a veil of secrecy around the progress of the cruise berthing project, despite being very close to declaring a preferred bidder. Despite the massive public…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":2934,"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":[112],"tags":[77,144],"class_list":["post-5221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-newsdevelopments","tag-cayman-islands","tag-marineshipping"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/cruise-ship-cruiser-cruise-ship-Pixabay.jpeg?fit=1024%2C681&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6u9Qa-1md","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5562,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/opposition-calls-for-cayman-cruise-port-referendum\/","url_meta":{"origin":5221,"position":0},"title":"Opposition calls for Cayman cruise port referendum","author":"Michele Marius","date":"May 14, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The opposition has announced plans to spearhead a campaign to collect enough signatures from registered voters to trigger a referendum on the proposed development of cruise berthing facilities in the George Town Harbour. Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller told CNS Tuesday that he believes the majority of Caymanians do not support\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News\/Developments"","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/silhouettes-black-red-geralt-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/silhouettes-black-red-geralt-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/silhouettes-black-red-geralt-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/silhouettes-black-red-geralt-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7747,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/cig-cuts-deal-for-port-with-cruise-lines\/","url_meta":{"origin":5221,"position":1},"title":"CIG cuts deal for port with cruise lines","author":"Michele Marius","date":"December 27, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(CNS):\u00a0Royal Caribbean Cruises and Carnival Corporation have both made financial commitments towards the Cayman Islands\u2019 controversial cruise berthing project, government has revealed. The tourism ministry said\u00a0it is now in a position to issue the final tender documents to the shortlisted bidders, only one of which is partnered with the two\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News\/Developments"","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10635,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/port-bid-partners-to-meet-stakeholders\/","url_meta":{"origin":5221,"position":2},"title":"Port bid partners to meet stakeholders","author":"Michele Marius","date":"October 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Representatives from the cruise lines and the engineering firm that are involved in the Verdant Isle group, which was selected by government to build the cruise berthing facility if it goes ahead, will be meeting with government and other stakeholders here in Cayman this week. In a press release the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News\/Developments"","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5561,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/consultants-guiding-ministry-in-cruise-dock-tender\/","url_meta":{"origin":5221,"position":3},"title":"Consultants guiding ministry in cruise dock tender","author":"Michele Marius","date":"May 14, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The chief officer in the ministry of tourism told the Public Accounts Committee Thursday that KPMG is guiding government through the procurement process of the cruise ship dock after Cabinet recently gave the green light to press ahead with the controversial development. Stran Bodden told PAC that the overall project\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News\/Developments"","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/aidaluna-cruise-ship-port-berth-beejees-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7882,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/cruise-petitioners-seek-assurances-from-governor\/","url_meta":{"origin":5221,"position":4},"title":"Cruise petitioners seek assurances from governor","author":"Michele Marius","date":"January 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Campaigners collecting signatures for a petition to force a people-initiated referendum on the controversial cruise port project met with the governor Friday as they continued their push for Cayman Islands voters to decide the issue. The group, Cruise Port Referendum Cayman, says it is getting close to the target of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News\/Developments"","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Seven-Mile-Beach-Grand-Cayman-James-Willamor-flickr.jpg?fit=800%2C591&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Seven-Mile-Beach-Grand-Cayman-James-Willamor-flickr.jpg?fit=800%2C591&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Seven-Mile-Beach-Grand-Cayman-James-Willamor-flickr.jpg?fit=800%2C591&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Seven-Mile-Beach-Grand-Cayman-James-Willamor-flickr.jpg?fit=800%2C591&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7750,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/cig-recruits-new-procurement-boss-from-uk\/","url_meta":{"origin":5221,"position":5},"title":"CIG recruits new procurement boss from UK","author":"Michele Marius","date":"January 3, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(CNS): The finance ministry has recruited a new director for the Central Procurement Office (CPO), which is tasked with\u00a0saving public money on necessary expenditure and ensuring value for money for the public purse by using appropriate procurement methods.\u00a0Taraq Bashir is from the UK but came to Cayman from Montserrat, where\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News\/Developments"","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Management-clipboard-calculator-Alpha-Stock-Images.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Management-clipboard-calculator-Alpha-Stock-Images.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Management-clipboard-calculator-Alpha-Stock-Images.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Management-clipboard-calculator-Alpha-Stock-Images.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5221","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\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5221"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5226,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5221\/revisions\/5226"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}