Rymer concerned over single tender for roadworks project

Kye Rymer

Minister for Communications and Works Kye Rymer has voiced concerns about the prolonged decision-making process surrounding the government’s 38-mile roadwork project.

The project, which is valued at approximately $37 million, has only attracted a single tender, raising questions about the initiative’s transparency and progress. In an interview with ZBVI Radio, Rymer confirmed that the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the delay, noting that the tendering process has not yet reached the Cabinet.

“This tender was sent to the Ministry of Finance, I think, last year, around October, and from the Ministry’s standpoint, we are awaiting the outcome of the tender,” Rymer stated.

The tender, submitted by a company based in St Kitts, was the only bid received for the roadwork project. Opposition member and Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn had earlier raised concerns about the lack of competition in the bidding process and called for an investigation.

While Rymer acknowledged these concerns, he explained that the process has been transparent, citing an open tender that allowed any qualified company to participate.

“An open tender is fair game. Anyone can bid. There is no restriction on who could or couldn’t bid,” he explained. “A person who deserves to do work within the jurisdiction, once they have the capabilities or they have the interest, they will bid,” said Rymer, who also expressing uncertainty about the specifics of Penn’s concern.

“I’m not sure what information the member for the Eighth has, but I am not familiar with what those concerns would be,” he said.

Despite these issues, Rymer reiterated his belief that the tendering process had been conducted transparently and fairly. The 38-mile road project is part of a broader effort to improve the territory’s public infrastructure, which has been under strain due to hurricanes and general wear and tear.

However, with no local companies submitting bids, questions have been raised about the ability of local firms to compete for such large-scale projects. The fact that only one company submitted a bid has fuelled calls for a review of the tendering process. Rymer expressed frustration with the delays in moving the project forward, stressing that the Ministry of Finance needs to expedite the decision-making process.

He also noted that no other companies participated, even after extending the tender to allow more bids.

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