QUESTIONS have been raised over a Government decision to award a lucrative contract to a firm owned by Progressive Labour Party (PLP) chairman David Burt.GMD Consulting will operate the island’s new Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) initiative in partnership with the Transport Control Department (TCD).

Said to be worth $2.4 million, the contract covers the installation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in cars and trucks. Motorcycles will not be tagged as part of the scheme — a move queried by Opposition MPs last week in light of the fact that riders are believed to be the greatest traffic offenders.

The scheme goes into effect next week and is expected to take a year before it is fully operational. Cars and trucks will have tags embedded inside tamper-resistant labels placed inside their windscreens.

If a vehicle arrives at a detection system and no tag is found, a picture will be automatically taken of the car’s licence plate and transferred to TCD.

Government has argued the tags will reduce the number of vehicles operating without a license and/or insurance and boost its coffers — infringements cost the public $11 million annually.

Promises have also been made that the initiative will enable delivery on oft-repeated requests to see more officers on the streets as traffic police who now inspect vehicles manually, will be freed of such duties.

Critics this week laid allegations of cronyism, insisting that the contract was never put out to tender. And they said a more transparent method of awarding contracts needs to be put in place to instil public confidence in the system.

“I understand GMD Consulting is the firm awarded the $2.4-million contract with TCD which comes under the Minister of Transportation, i.e. Dr. (Ewart) Brown,” a resident complained this week.

“GMD also happens to be the registered owner of progressiveminds.bm (and) the host of plp.bm — through its affiliate, nikoniqdesigns.com — and is run by David Burt, who coincidentally also happens to be the chairman of the PLP.

“Does anyone recall this contract going out to tender or was this just another ‘it’s in the best interest of the public’ proclamation so as to leapfrog any civil service vetting of a multi-million-dollar opportunity to the party faithful?

“Given the alleged kickbacks Dr. Brown was receiving from Zane DeSilva . . . what are the chances this contract is completely ‘aboveboard’ and in the best interests of Bermuda?

“Personally, I still don’t see how this is a cost effective solution to any TCD outstanding fee collection problems and certainly doesn’t prevent unlicensed and/or uninsured cars from using the roads.

“This RFID programme appears to be nothing more than a front-loaded exercise in the diversion of public funds to the private sector with little, if any, benefit or improvement to the average Bermudian.

“Accordingly, one has to wonder who GMD Consulting has related ‘consulting’ deals with in connection with this programme, together with identifying the beneficial owners of GMD so we know who really is getting paid.”

This newspaper put a series of questions to Dr. Brown in response to the allegations.

[bul] Was the contract put out to tender?

[bul] Does David Burt, who was acting as an independent IT expert for TCD, now hold the contract? If so, why was he selected? Does he have prior experience in this area?

[bul] How will fine collection be ensured? What’s to make people turn up and pay when they didn’t under the previous system?

[bul] When are we likely to see the promised extra officers on the streets? Will we see a monthly addition? Bi-monthly?

[bul] Approximately how many officers do you think will be transferred from cars to foot patrol once the initiative is completely in place?

[bul] Is the plan to fine the owner of the unlicensed/uninsured vehicle or, in the instance where vehicles have been loaned out, will attempts be made to search for the actual driver?

[bul] In the current climate, as David Burt is also the PLP chairman, is Dr. Brown concerned that there will be cries of cronyism? In the event thereare, what is his response to that?

The Mid-Ocean News received no response.

Contacted on the issue, Shadow Transport Minister Bob Richards expressed confidence that Mr. Burt is qualified for the job but agreed, a more transparent system of awarding Government contracts needs to be in place.

“When our party was in Government we had a very well defined and transparent process for Government contracts,” he stated.

“When the PLP came in, they kind of threw all that in the trash. I know (Mr. Burt) is a qualified technologist, the issue is not about him but whether Government has a transparent process for giving contracts.

“And, the other thing, is whether RFID is for show. They already know who the violators are from the system in place at TCD now.”

Concerns over RFID contract