WILLEMSTAD — The controversial Fire Brigade-gate on the unsuccessful purchase of two tank- and fire extinguishing wagons for the fire brigade appears to make for a satisfactory end. The Board of Governors has reached an agreement with the supplier, Al Group in which the two parties bear a part of the loss so that the wagons could be completed and delivered.
The Board of Governors as well as the Al Group had been put at a disadvantage by Tigris NV as the Board of Governors had paid the company, but that company had not transferred the entire amount to the supplier. The Board of Governors is now prepared to pay a part of the outstanding amount so that Curaçao could still receive the two new fire wagons – either this year, or at the beginning of next year at the latest. In this manner, a project that started in 2005 can be realized in 2010, amounting to a total of 2,074,000 guilders.
It is reported, that the additional payment concerns a mere half million guilders. This is less than the outstanding amount with the Al Group and in any case, less than what it would cost to start all over again with the purchase of the new wagons, which the Fire Brigade Curaçao urgently requires.
That the Al Group was prepared to offer a reduction on the outstanding amount regards the fact that they are stuck with two incomplete custom made fire wagons which are hard to sell elsewhere. For example, these wagons have a small wheelbase in order to drive through the narrow alleys of the inner city.
The Lieutenant Governor Lisa Dindial will explain this turn in the Fire Brigade-gate during a Central Committee meeting of the Island Council this Thursday. Immediately afterwards, this matter will be forwarded to the public meeting of the Island Council for approval – with all its new contracts and relevant documents.
Meanwhile, the investigations on Tigris and its directors are still in progress. As soon as anything can be recovered from them, the Board of Governors will do so. The supplier’s claim on Tigris has been transferred to the Board of Governors so that it will have the first right on all amounts which could be re-claimed from Tigris. Any money left after the payment of legal expenses, will be transferred to the supplier, the Al Group.
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