Island Cement boss Myron Piper has again lashed out at Wedco chairman Walter Lister over the handling of the Dockyard cement contract.

Mr. Lister has called Mr. Piper a disgruntled bidder Mr. Piper yesterday repeated his claim that the bidding process was not fair or open.

"The selection committee did not interview the companies involved in the bidding process," he said.

"It's ludicrous for a selection committee not to have any questions or vetting of the prospective bidders unless a candidate had already been chosen or the process was merely a formality."

Wedco awarded Maxcem a ten-year lease to operate the facility earlier this month. The company has run the West End site since Bermuda Cement Company's controversial departure two-and-a-half years ago.

Mr. Piper called the awards process a sham.

"Wedco did complete a very open and fair request for proposal (RFP) process," Mr. Lister has said in response to Mr. Piper's claim. "Due consideration was applied to all submissions and a decision was made to award the lease to Maxcem."

Mr. Piper said he had spoken with other companies that put forward bids and had not been interviewed despite spending time and money on a proposal.

"There was no expectation on my part to secure the lease," said Mr. Piper. "My aim was merely to serve as a conduit to see that others had a reasonable opportunity and expectation in their respective bids by publicly challenging the process.

"I am sure the other respondents are extremely disappointed when they view the arrogance and disregard this Government has shown them in the handling of the [RFP]."

He quoted Mr. Lister as saying that Wedco is an open organisation, and called for them to publicly release a copy of all submissions.

"The real test of objectivity is the respondents' financial considerations to Wedco and diversity," he said. "All things being equal, all groups could supply cement at a similar price structure.

"What Bermuda really needs to know is what the best financial consideration for Government was."