Michael Fahy On Housing, RFP Process, More
Shadow Minister for the Economy, Labour & Housing Michael Fahy questioned the procurement process for the Government’s planned $64 million affordable housing project.
An OBA spokesperson said, “In the House of Assembly, the Minister of Housing, the Hon. Zane DeSilva was forced to admit under questioning from the Shadow Minister for the Economy, Labour & Housing, the Hon. Michael Fahy, that there has been no RFP process for the 84 houses to be built across three different sites for $64million.
“Mr Fahy pointed out that this amounted to almost $763k per modular home. He asked if the monies to be spent per unit was for all extras from transporting the precast unit pieces, the landscaping, fit outs, and all excavations.” Minister DeSilva confirmed that the price was ‘key in hand.’ In further questioning the Minister doubled down and said there would be no overruns.”
Mr Fahy said: “That is a very serious undertaking – no cost overruns. We will watch this space carefully and hold the Minister to account on this statement. We all know the kind of cost overruns that have happened with capital projects.
“More importantly, whilst it is absolutely imperative to get Bermudians housed, it cannot be done without processes being open to the sunshine of public scrutiny. Why was the contract apparently sole sourced? What other entities made proposals? What local contractors will be hired for all the extras?”
Mr Fahy also questioned the consultation process. He noted the affordable housing plan was released on 5 May, contracts signed six weeks later and the ground due to be broken in mid-August.
He said, “It has the appearance that contracts were in process long before the consultation process began. Our job as Opposition is to ask questions and hold Ministers accountable. The Minister gave an undertaking to bring to the House of Assembly the full process followed in respect of the selection of Coastal Precast systems. We look forward to seeing this.”
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