All above board

MINISTER of Works and Transport, Franklin Khan, assured that all was above board in the wet-leasing of the MV Sonia to ply the Tobago-Trinidad sea-bridge. He was addressing a reception last Tuesday night on board the vessel berthed at the Cruise Ship Complex, ahead of its inaugural sailing yesterday. With carpet and polished wood underfoot, and mirrored ceiling overhead, Khan quipped: “If anybody doesn’t like how this boat looks just show it by raising your hand for me please... and security will escort you out.” Guests giggled, and none raised their hand. Khan then countered Opposition charges that the boat was not worth the cost of US$24,000 per day. He lamented that since being a child, he had heard of controversy every time a ferry was to be acquired, often justifiably so.

“It is for that reason that when I became Minister of Works and Transport that I was particularly careful, even sacrificing speed, to make sure that we go through a transparent process that we can procure value for money for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.” He said even after the success of such projects as this acquisition, there would always be critics who were ready to derail the process. “The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is very, very comfortable with this vessel; We think we have value for money.” The MV Sonia had been wet-leased using the most transparent process possible, he said. “We have gone out to international tenders, with an evaluation team comprised of the three major stakeholders in the business — the Port Authority, Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).”

He said he and THA Chief Secretary, Orville London, had agreed that the acquisition process would have no political input. “I made a conscious decision not to even ask questions. The Chief Secretary and I spoke at length and said ‘let the politicians not get involved, but leave it to the technocrats’.” Khan hit back at Opposition claims that the shipping company, International Shipping Partners, had made a huge profit by leasing it to us for US$24,000 per day, while only paying the owners, US$11,000 per day. He dubbed the criticisms as “old talk” and “foolishness”. “It is a spanking new vessel that is bordering on a luxury liner”. He then revealed that a fast ferry, The Cat, had just left Halifax and should arrive here on January 2 to be wet-leased for the Tobago sea-bridge.