$1.1B in security contracts signed for regions

Security contracts totalling $1.1B were signed on Friday with Home Safe Security and Domestic Services for Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, and RK Security Services for Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

The signing is a culmination of a tender process that commenced in 2011 and concluded with a no objection from the Cabinet and the award from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, GINA said.

Regional Executive Officers (REOs) of the 10 administrative regions signed the security contract for their regions in the boardroom of the  Local Government Ministry, Kingston, on Friday in the presence of  Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud, and Minister in the Ministry, Norman Whittaker, and  Permanent Secretary, Collin Croal.

Minister Persaud in highlighting some of the government’s expectations to the security providers said it is expected that the locations identified to benefit from their services will be constantly serviced.

Personnel who will service these locations on behalf of the security companies must be “persons who would be able, alert and have the necessary kind of training, attitude and behaviour which are ingredients for effective provision of security service, Persaud  said.

He also cautioned the service providers that while the contract sum is an indication of the number of ranks that are expected to be made available on a shift basis, it is only when that requirement is satisfied that payments would be made.

He was also quoted as informing them that, “Should there be lapses on the part of the security provider which result in loss of property, loss of assets or damage to assets then the security provider will be held accountable and answerable.”

The ministry expects a healthy working relationship between the security provider representatives in the respective regions and the respective regional administration, Persaud added.

Minister Whittaker joined in congratulating the security services and advised that the security effort must be a collaborative one between the REOs and the security providers and emphasized that the ministry expects value for its money.

According to GINA, the contracts are as follows: Region One – $104M and this allows for security services at 84 locations; Region Two, $143.9M for 99 locations; Region Three – $150.8M with 147 locations; Region 4 – $254.4M for 146 locations; Region 5 – $74.2M, for 61 locations; Region 6 – $224.9M for 177 locations; Region 7 – $40.1M for 28 locations; Region 8 – $6.9M for 7 locations; Region 9 – $20.8M, 18 locations and Region 10, $ 87.9M covering 82 locations. The contracts will come to an end in February 2013.