FORMER Berkeley site superintendent Gabriel Martel is adamant the project's electrical contractor was hand-picked by the Ministry of Works & Engineering ? a fact that got him fired after calling the allegedly protected company incompetent.

And last night Government refused to deny claims by Mr. Martel that the company had been singled out by the Ministry.

Mr. Martel pointed out that management firm Somers Construction was hired by the Ministry of Works and Engineering to hire all sub-contractors for the project ? with the exception of Telford Electric which dealt directly with the Ministry. Somers Construction had no authority over the electrical firm which answered only to the Ministry's project manager, David Butterfield.

Last week Mr. Martel claimed Somers Construction dismissed him after being pressured by Government officials who threatened to withhold future projects from the company.

And yesterday he alleged Somers has been forced to team up with the electrical company in a bid to win the tender for a new Court building.

"Somers is working with Telford and will make a joint proposal on the courthouse project," Mr. Martel said.

"You have to appreciate that no contract for the courthouse has been awarded to anyone at this time. I believe that Somers was told that their proposal would be 'favourably' considered if Telford was part of the construction team."

The sent the Ministry of Works & Engineering a list of questions on the issue. Among the questions we asked were: Why did the Ministry take the responsibility of awarding the electrical contract out to Telford Electric?

Somers Construction was taken on as site manager to hire all other contractors, why was it not allowed to hire the electrical contractor? Why did Government want to take responsibility for this aspect of the building?

How much has Government paid to Telford Electric for the company's work on Berkeley? Is Government satisfied that the work is of a sufficient standard?

Has Government spoken to Telford Electric about Mr. Martel's concerns. If so, are you satisfied with his responses? If you haven't spoken to him, why not?

Who ordered the ceilings closed before all the electrical work was completed in every classroom?

Although acting Works & Engineering Minister Larry Mussenden did issue a press statement last night, none of the above questions were addressed in his remarks.

The has also been unable to substantiate claims that Telford Electric is linked in some way to Lloyd Telford, the General Manager of the West End Development Corporation.