Local entrepreneur, Henry Creque is strongly contesting claims made by General Manager of BVI Electricity, Leroy Abraham that stated local companies showed no interest in the bidding process for Anegada’s Hybrid Renewable Energy & Battery Energy Storage System project.
A detailed statement released to the press by the former Deputy General Manager, Mr Creque stated “contrary to responses of the Corporation’s General Manager, Mr. Leroy Abraham, to a series of questions posed by the media at a recent press conference, we are very pleased to advise that our group of firms, which consisted of three BVI companies out of four, did indeed tender for this first ever utility scale solar project in the British Virgin Islands.”
“We were therefore perplexed when Mr. Abraham indicated that there were no local companies that submitted proposals,” he added.
Mr. Creque said while his proposal was “a mere 1.35% higher than the cheapest turnkey price tendered” that was substantiated by them being “the most experienced and qualified out of four submitting bidders,” a point, that in his opinion, should have been considered.
As it relates to local labor, the letter stated “, Mr. Abraham formally advised international bidders only that low-skilled labor and machinery should be sourced from local resources.” However according to the local contractor, even that opportunity was denied.
He said “BVIEC and their consultants refused to provide Creque’s Engineering with a bid package, claiming that we were not qualified to receive one, although no details of minimum qualifications had been included in the tender advertisement.”
Mr. Creque expressed concern for the lack of inclusion and development opportunities for locals and stressed that signing foreign companies “undermines” local businesses.
He said “every government administration in the history of this Territory, dating back to the late Hon. H. L. Stoutt, has always verbalized an unswerving commitment to the development of local, BVI based companies and workers, and remarks of that nature could only serve to undermine the development of local enterprises.”
Despite having other qualms with BVIEC, Mr. Creque said the company still intends to continue in its pursuit of transforming the energy sector locally.
Within the statement it was revealed that the company submitted another proposal on March 6, 2020 in response to the Premier’s statement on February 24th, 2020 titled “Building the Energy Sector” for the 10 megawatt solar installation at a location on Tortola.
The local entrepreneur is hoping that BVIEC can review their tender in a fair and transparent process.
284 Media made attempts to reach General Manager, Leroy Abraham of BVIEC for comments but up to press time, those efforts have proven futile.