Sitting of tuesday 17th november 2010

(No. 1B/500)

Mr E. Guimbeau (First Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether, in regard to the contracts awarded for security and cleaning services, since July 2005 to-date, for the hospitals and the other departments falling under the aegis of her Ministry, she will, in each case, state the –
(a) names of the bidders, indicating the bid value and
(b) names of the companies which have obtained same in each case, indicating -
(i) if it was the lowest bidder and
(ii) the contract value thereof.

Mrs Hanoomanjee: The same reply Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. The information is being compiled and will be placed in the Library of the National Assembly.

(Interruptions)

Mr Guimbeau: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, is the hon. Minister aware that despite adverse report on performance of security and cleaning companies in the Ministry, they got their contract extended on a month to month basis instead of being cancelled. A sum of about Rs25 m. has been spent from January 2008 to December 2009. Is the hon. Minister aware of that and no action has been taken?

Mrs Hanoomanjee: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, usually the contract is extended on a month to month basis pending the fact that there is renewal or no renewal. If the tender exercise is not completed, the existing company goes on, on a month to month basis until the contract is allocated.

Mr Guimbeau: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I understand that it was done on a month to month basis because of the bad performance. In view of the fact of a persisting poor performance for cleaning and security service in hospitals, can the hon. Minister state if fresh tender has been invited on the basis of the new bidding document as recommended by the Procurement Policy Office?

Mrs Hanoomanjee: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we go according to Procurement rules and no other regulations apart from Procurement rules.

Mr Guimbeau: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, can we, at least, have the name of the company giving service in the hospital?

Mrs Hanoomanjee: I can’t get the question.

The Deputy Speaker: The name of the company.

Mrs Hanoomanjee: The name of which company?

Mr Guimbeau: Can the hon. Minister give us, at least, the name of those companies who got the cleaning and security contracts in hospitals?

Mrs Hanoomanjee: I have said that I am compiling the information. I don’t have the information because the hon. Member has asked from 2005 onwards. So, the information has to be compiled.

The Deputy Speaker: You don’t have the information. Okay, next question. Yes, hon. Barbier.

Mr Barbier: May I know from the hon. Minister since when these companies are operating on a month to month basis?

Mrs Hanoomanjee: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I can’t say because there are so many companies. There are companies for security services as well as for cleaning services. The question addressed both of them. There are so many companies, I can’t have the names.