KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesman on Local Government Noel Arscott is calling on the contractor general to conduct a probe into what he says is a violation in the tender process for contracts regarding the sweeping of roads and the collection of garbage.

“It has been brought to my attention that there is now political interference in the preparation of contracts to do with sweeping and collection of garbage,” Arscott told a press conference today at the People’s National Party’s headquarter on Old Hope Road in St Andrew.

The PNP vice-president explained that a tender was advertised but two days before the deadline it was recalled and was subsequently re-issued.

“… it gives one the impression that they are trying to change the scope to fit their preferred contractor,  and I believe the matter is of sufficient importance for the contractor general to launch an investigation into what is happening there.

Added Arscott, “what we see is quite unusual that you would issue a public tender, terminate it two days before the date, then adjust it and re-issue it. These are things are not done.”

Arscott added that there is no transparency at the National Solid Waste Management Authority and there were also reports of “underhand dealings” at the agency.

“We also know of serious contracts that have been terminated by a phone call; we know of widespread dismissal of persons, and we also heard of arbitrary employment of persons while the agency is short of funds and so there is a lack of transparency in what is happening at the agency,” he insisted.

Tanesha Mundle