Montague responds to vehicle procurement controversy
Minister of National Security Robert Montague says he is hurt when people “carelessly” attack his reputation and the “professionalism of the technocrats at the Ministry of National Security whose responsibility is to execute policy”.
The minister, who was speaking in Parliament today, was responding to the saga surrounding the pre-owned motor vehicles policy and procurement.
Last week news surfaced that a private company was awarded a $426.9-million contract to supply 200 pre-owned motor vehicles to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), but to date delivered only 30, causing embarrassment to the Government.
In addressing guideline breach concerns by the Opposition party, Montague maintained that the procurement has not breached any of the Government of Jamaica’s procurement guidelines.
In chronological order dated from September 2016 to December 1, 2017, he outlined the steps taken by him and his ministry to obtain vehicles for the JCF, in attempt to “provide transparency, clarity, accountability, and good governance to the nation”.
According to the security minister, on October 12, 2016 in the presence of representatives from the Office of the Contractor General and others, a tender box was opened following a September 2016 advertisement in the press for 80 cars and 120 double-cab pickups.
“Three tenders were found – Tryvisco Enterprise, O’Brien’s and Motor One Imports. One additional bid that was not placed in the box was rejected and returned unopened because it was not submitted on time according to the GOJ procurement process.
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