Imbert:

Story taken from our P O L I T I C S section.

WORKS and Transport Minister Colm Imbert yesterday revealed some 81 firms (65 foreign and 16 local) are interested in designing, building, operating and maintaining the proposed rapid rail project.

Imbert made this disclosure at the first pre-tender meeting for the project at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port-of-Spain yesterday. He told railway contractors the project must not be allowed to fall behind other transportation initiatives now being undertaken by government.

The minister said the rapid rail project was a significant one for the country and is now taking place because after 25 years of unfavourable economic fortunes, TT has finally found itself in a position to implement infrastructural plans that “we had only talked about or studied.” Noting that 40 percent of the population currently uses public transport and this volume will increase with population increase, new industries, job opportunities and decentralised housing estates, Imbert said, “The need for an efficient, safe and reliable public transport system cannot be disputed.”

To this end, Imbert said Government was simultaneously developing several transportation initiatives including toll roads, water taxis, new expressways, arterials and links. He said it was important that all of these projects are synchronised and there “are no gaps when they are completed and required to come together.”

Adding that a preliminary household survey undertaken by his ministry shows that the public “cannot wait” for the rapid rail project to be operational, Imbert reiterated that “it is very important that the implementation of the system (rapid rail) not fall behind its sister initiatives.”

He said this was why the ministry advised the project’s consultant, Parsons Brinkerhoff Quade and Douglas, to ensure that the project is protected from “the pitfalls and deterimental vagaries that would usually be encountered.”

Imbert said whichever firm or firms that are eventually involved in designing, building operating and maintaining the rapid rail system must adhere to attributes such as flexibility, transparency, minimised bur-eaucratic processes and delays and client-contractor collaboration throughout every stage of the project.

“We must learn from the mistakes of the past and the mistakes of others, especially those caused by procrastination, compounded by protracted implementation processes,” he declared.

Imbert said 81 firms initially expressed interest in the project, and these firms are now coalescing into consortiums and the ministry has received positive acknowledgement of its qualification forms and instruction documents from 34 groups or organisations from a wide range of countries.

Those nations include Germany, Korea, Britain, Spain, China, US, Japan, Canada and Venezuela.

The second pre-tender meeting for the rapid rail project is scheduled for July 25. Imbert previously indicated that the first phase of the project should be completed in June next year.