Walwyn: I did not contradict the premier

Minister of Education Myron Walwyn has moved to clarify comments he made this week regarding China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and its possible involvement in a project to extend the runway at the state-owned Terrence B Lettsome International Airport.

Walwyn said there is no truth to reports elsewhere in the media that he is contradicting Premier and Minister of Finance Dr D Orlando Smith.

Late last year, Premier Smith announced that CCC has been selected as the preferred bidder regarding the airport project.

Earlier this week, Walwyn told a radio host that “the government has not made a decision as yet” regarding the project contractor.

Walwyn, in a message to BVI News Online today, said his comment is correct – and so is the premier’s.

He explained that CCC was merely selected as the preferred bidder in order to facilitate further negotiations, after which a contract may be signed with the company.

“The government has selected a preferred bidder, CCCC, for the airport extension with a view to engage in negotiations with them. This is fundamentally different from asserting that the government has taken a decision to have CCCC expand the airport. There has been no award of a contract,” he said.

Walwyn further explained: “The question posed to me yesterday on the Morning Ride Show, and indeed what is being peddled falsely, would lead persons to believe that the government has finalized negotiations, and have entered into a formal contractual arrangement with CCCC.”

“The premier and minister of finance has accurately indicated to the public in his budget address and other communications, the stage of the discussions. The news media has an obligation to truthfully disseminate information to the public and most of them do, but unfortunately there are others that continue to fall short of this sacred responsibility,” Walwyn said.