Imer Hernandez “is entitled to and will continue to bid for contracts.”
Imer Hernandez is not only a relative of the former Deputy Prime Minister, but also a very vocal and strong supporter of the United Democratic Party so it is no surprise that the opposition, People’s United Party, became outraged after Hernandez was awarded another multi-million dollars road works contract. While the rehabilitation of a portion of the George Price Highway is being funded by the I.D.B., Hernandez has received many local funded road contracts. A document sent today to the media shows that between August 2013 and February 2017, Hernandez reportedly received two-hundred and seven contracts, some valued between five hundred thousand dollars to one point four million dollars. According to the document, the total value of contracts between that period amounts to thirty-six million dollars. The P.U.P. called it blatant nepotism, especially since the quality of works is being called into question. Today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow was asked about it.
Reporter
“But how will you respond to it in terms of the perception of nepotism with Imer Hernandez particularly being the nephew…”
Reporter
“It is two-hundred and seven contracts.”
Dean Barrow
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Boy I have to check that. Over what, ten years, twelve years?
Reporter
“2013 I think it is.”
Dean Barrow
“Let’s not argue about that because I don’t know so I can’t argue. But as far as I am concerned, Imer Hernandez is an established contractor entitled to bid for contracts like any other contractors in the country. It is not like we have too many of them at that level in terms of heft, and weight and ability to discharge big jobs. I assure you that even the locally funded contracts there must be a bidding process. You might want to say that because it is local people can more easily have a kind of inside lane than when it is foreign funded. I am not going to argue that but there is a bidding process that I hope and believe in if not all, certainly the vast of majority of the case, a process that works properly. Again, I know none of these contracts that has not been supervise by an independent contractor. If Imer isn’t doing proper work why on earth wouldn’t the supervising consultants be saying this. Look there is politics in this. He is who he is in terms of being the nephew of the former Deputy Prime Minister. He himself is an outspoken UDP and that so that causes him to draw a great of fire. This man is entitled to work. As far as I am told this man does good work, had the requisite skills in is outfit and he is entitled to and will continue to bid for contracts.”
