NDP CALLS FOR COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO BEEF ISLAND BRIDGE
The opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) has called for a Commission of Inquiry into the construction of the Beef Island Bridge, citing lack of proper planning and implementation. Party Leader Dr. the Honourable Orlando Smith made the announcement during a press conference Monday.
The project has generated controversy from its inception. Disagreements related to the design of the bridge and to the awarding of the contract. There are now reports that another supplementary funding is needed for the project and the contractor is allegedly threatening to sue the government for unpaid monies.. Work had stopped on the project for about a month. “As Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, a taxpayer and as a citizen…I am deeply concerned…that yet another major public project being undertaken by this government has become a matter of urgent public concern requiring an independent review,” he declared. He also made reference to the controversy surrounding the Little A Race Track regarding the amount of money spent and whether this project should have been priority over the construction of a new hospital.
According to Dr. Smith, it has been approximately one year since the public last heard officially from the government about the bridge project. That comment was in response to a question put to the Minister of Communications and Works by the Member for the 8th District Hon. Lloyd Black. The total budgeted cost has now exceeded $6M, well above the $2.3M first envisaged, according to budgetary estimates. And according to the Opposition Leader, the public is yet to be provided with a satisfactory explanation for the “excessive and endless escalation in the cost of this project or to see the final design.”
The NDP Leader expressed concern about the number of cracks that he noticed have appeared in the bridge, even before the first vehicle has driven on it. “It is impossible for me not to wonder about its safety, expected life span when completed, what standards are being used to build the bridge and most importantly, who is responsible for oversight.”
Member for the 8th District Hon. Lloyd Black, in whose District the bridge is located, said he has consulted with individuals with professional engineering backgrounds. He told reporters that in the design structure in the bridge, there are areas in the bridge intentionally designed to absorb cracks, called stress fractures. But he noted that there are other cracks outside of these designed areas. Territorial-at-Large Member Hon. Ronnie Skelton discounted suggestions that the opposition was not in favour of the construction of a new Beef Island Bridge. “You can’t expand an airport…which we agree to…and then don’t develop the bridge. We would be irresponsible to sit here and tell you that the bridge is not necessary.” But he reiterated their concern that an excessive amount of money is being spent on the project and said this needs to be checked.
He agreed that a public commission of inquiry should be held or that the government’s auditor should be called in to review the project. Dr. Smith said after taking all of these factors into account, coupled with their sworn duty to look after the public’s interest, they are now bound, on behalf of this community, to ask for a public commission of inquiry. “Accordingly, I am hereby calling on His Excellency the Governor, in accordance with Section 2 of the Commission of Inquiry Act Chapter 237, to issue a Commission into the Beef Island Bridge Project.”
He said they would want to see a review of the entire project, especially as it relates to the escalating costs. He insisted that there is obviously something wrong and the problem needs to be addressed. The bridge was scheduled to be completed by December 15th, 2000.
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