The contract for the supply of furniture for the new Georgetown Police Station was put out to selective tender, which was won by CCA Ltd. of Canouan.{{more}}

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Godfred Pompey told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday evening that on winning the contract, CCA Ltd. provided the government with options to purchase the furniture from the United States or from Bali, which is part of the archipelago that makes up Indonesia.

It was found to be more cost effective to order the furniture from a company in Bali, Pompey said.

“The U.S was significantly higher… so the Tenders Board approved the one from Bali,” he explained.

Pompey’s explanation comes following questions from several persons, including Leader of the Opposition Arhnim Eustace, about why the furniture purchased for the new Georgetown Police Station was ordered from Bali, and not procurred locally.

Pompey also pointed out that it made financial sense for the CCA Ltd to combine the furniture order for the Georgetown Police Station with its order for furniture for the Canouan Administrative Centre, which opens on Friday, October 7.

“It was more economical to buy both sets of furniture together because of the volume,” said Pompey.

He further explained that the stoves, refrigerators and freezers, among other equipment, were bought locally; and that it is furniture that cannot be produced locally, which was ordered from Bali.

Pompey said that the furniture (which is flat-packed) has arrived in the state, and is being assembled and sorted in Canouan.

He also made the point that no matter who had been given the contract, furniture such as executive chairs and filing cabinets would still have had to be procured from overseas.

Pompey disclosed that CCA Ltd. was actually the second company to be awarded the contract to supply the furniture for the Georgetown Police Station.

The first tender, he said, was won by local company Caribbean Sheet and Tubular (SVG) Ltd, but because the owner died before collecting the money, the contract had to be re-tendered.

“The first payment was at the Treasury to be disbursed,” pointed out Pompey.

Because of this, the police station was completed almost a year before it was officially opened.

Also, due to a typhoon in East Asia, the furniture’s delivery was delayed further; despite being expected before the police station’s official opening on Tuesday, September 6.

“That is why we had to reschedule the opening of Canouan [Administrative Centre],” said Pompey.

“But the PM decided to go ahead with Georgetown [police station].”(JV)