T&T army to destroy TT$1.6m in faulty uniforms

(Trinidad Express) The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is moving to destroy 6,000 brand new army uniforms, following the discovery the material used to make them is infe­ri­or in quality.
The Sunday Express has been reliably informed the uniforms have been sent to the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) for testing to determine why the camouflage print on the uniforms has become discoloured.
The uniforms were made by House of Taylor’s Ltd, at a cost of TT$1.6 million.
The company, jointly owned by Dennis Fakoory and Ron­ald Man­soor, operated from Char­­­lotte Street, Port of Spain, but is now facing volun­tary liqui­dation and has ceased opera­tions.
The Sunday Ex­press learned the business deal between both men went sour shortly after the delivery of the uniforms late last year, leading to them parting ways.
An informed source told the Sunday Express that with­in weeks of receiving the uni­forms, army personnel were forced to return them as the camouflage printed uniforms turned brown in colour when inserted in water.
Speaking briefly with the Sunday Express last Friday, public relations officer for the T&T Defence Force Major Al Alexander said: “What I found out is that the uniforms were sent to TTBS for analysis. It was sent to them to determine the cause of the problem, so we would know what stipulations to include the next time around.”
The Sunday Express learned new uniforms are provi­ded to army personnel every two years. Contacted last Fri­day, the head of the Implementation Unit at the TTBS, Steve Williams, said he was un­able to disclose any infor­mation relating to the matter.
Williams said: “We are required to demonstrate cli­ent confidentiality. If the army has sent a product
to be tested by the TTBS, at the end of the testing, a report will be issued to them. They would be the only ones who can dis­cuss the findings, unless the TTBS receives autho­risa­tion to discuss the results. I am not at liberty to dis­cuss a client’s business with anyone.”
Sunday Express investi­ga­tions have revealed House of Taylor’s Ltd and A Moses and Sons Ltd were the only two companies which presented samples of the fabric to be used for making the uniforms when interested applicants were invited to tender for the job.
In the end, House of Taylor’s Ltd got the nod, with a bid of $800,000 below its nearest competitor.
Ministry of Na­tional Se­curity offi­cials, the Sunday Ex­press learned, are ques­tioning whe­ther the job was in fact value for the money.
It is understood an inves­ti­­gation is underway to de­ter­­mine who is at fault as it ap­pears
a blame game has bro­­­ken out, with fingers being poin­ted at both the T&T Defence Force and the supplier.
An informed source told the Sunday Express the T&T De­fence Force believes the mate­rial sent as samples was not the same fabric used to make the army outfits.
House of Taylor’s Ltd is how­ever main­taining that samples of the fabric were sent on more than two occasions for testing at the army.
In fact, the Sunday Express learned a sample uni­form was sent for testing to determine the durability of the material.
The informed source said no concerns were raised at that time as the sample garment had
passed the required spe­cifica­tion as outlined in the contract.
The Sunday Express under­stands it was only last Friday that army personnel contac­ted
Fakoory, requesting docu­­­ments pertaining to the contract.
When the Sunday Ex­press contacted Fakoory for com­ment, he re­ques­ted that questions rela­ting to the matter be e-mailed to him.
However, Fakoo­ry did not re­spond to the questions sent to him.
Instead, he sent an e-mail to the Sunday Express indicating House of Taylor’s Ltd was not officially informed by the Defence Force of the problems surrounding the uniforms.
The e-mail, which was copied to Man­soor, stated: “We have not been officially advised by the T&T Defence Force about any problems with regards to uniforms supplied by House of Taylor’s Limited earlier this year. However, we are aware that sample uni­forms were sent for testing.
“We have had trustworthy relationships over the last 14 years with all divisions un­der the Ministry of National Security, hence the reason we were given this opportunity in the first place. These rela­tionships are highly valued and as such, if an issue does arise with any product that requires our immediate attention, it will be dealt with in a proper manner and to the satisfaction and in the best interest of the T&T Defence Force.
“I am, however, unable to provide you with any more information because we have not been notified by our client of any issues as yet. Added to that, we would need to get our clients’ permission at all times to discuss in the public domain, and in this case, what the T&T Defence Force might con­sider confidential and sensitive.”
Minister of National Secu­ri­ty Gary Griffith who is cur­rently in London, England, told the Sunday Express he was un­able to comment on the matter.
In a text message to the Sunday Express, Griffith wrote: “Unable to. I have received no official report on that matter.”
Attempts to contact Chief of Defence Staff Major General Kenrick Maharaj for comment were unsuccessful as voice messages went unanswered.