Was NIPDEC to blame?

THE EDITOR: It is unfortunate for NIPDEC that neither Mr Hamel-Smith nor Mr Guerra Attorneys-at-Law were present at the Friday June 13 hearing of the Piarco Airport Inquiry when John Humphrey had the public believe that the Project Management Company (NIPDEC) was responsible for the delays and the increase in cost of the project. With the absence of these key legal personnel this statement could not have been refuted. The fast track method of managing the project which he (JH) claimed to have been used by OBHC on their own recommendation was refuted by Mr Garcia the former NIPDEC General Manager as the method contracted for use on this project. By the application of this method of management BHC took full control of the project making the service of NIPDEC redundant and of no effect. John Humphrey seems to have had complete confidence in BHC in their ability to mange the project in the Fast Track method, a system John Humphrey had no personal experience in implementing. John Humphrey was not professionally qualified to advise and was doing so apparently without Cabinet intervention. Mr Hamel-Smith need now to address these statements with a view to have the public better enlightened.

SHELDON PAUL
Arouca