CIG starts search for cruise port project boss
Port Authority of the Cayman Islands security
(CNS): The Major Projects Office of the Public Works Department has begun advertising for a senior project manager to oversee the controversial cruise-cargo development project in George Town, on the day the final bids for the project came in and right after campaigners announced they had exceeded the number of signatures needed to trigger a referendum on the issue. While government has accused the activists of being presumptuous regarding the success of their campaign, it appears to be ignoring the real possibility that this project could be stopped by the people.
The PWD has posted the job advert for a project manager in various online locations including overseas and is making it clear this top position on the project will be going to an expatriate.
Opening the ad for the vacancy as a “new opportunity to live and work in the Caribbean”, the Projects Office said the post holder will be responsible for the successful delivery of a major Cruise Berthing Facility and Cargo Upgrade project from completion of final tenders to financial close and project completion.
The advert indicates that the total project value is in excess of $200 million, though pundits here believe it will much more than the figure cited. The job ad states that the project will be delivered through a public private partnership under a design, build,finance and maintain (DBFM) procurement route and that the new boss will be responsible for the planning and management of all project deliverables, including schedule and cost among many other elements of the project.
Candidates are required to have a degree in applied sciences related to marine engineering and construction/construction management from an accredited educational institution. Additionally, the post holder must be a registered, professional member of their discipline established either in the UK, US or Canada.
The job also calls for 15 years or more relevant experience in managing complex multi-disciplinary projects, which will ideally include experience in the design or construction and delivery of port and marine projects with an emphasis on dredging, piling and land reclamation, environmental permitting, cargo and cruise operations.
“Experience of PPP procurement is considered very desirable with projects in the order of $50 million or above. A high level of interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a team and to relate to people at all levels, within government and the community is required,” the advert states.
There is no indication in the job advert of the local opposition to the project, but the successful candidate can expect a minimum salary of between CI$84,874-$114,156 plus full medical and dental benefits for the candidate and dependents, as well as the government’s generous pension benefit of 12% of annual salary. The government is also offering a full relocation package for airfare and shipment of personal effects.
However, as government presses ahead with the project, the campaign for a people-initiated referendum also presses on and the activists are expected to deliver the original petition to the Elections Office Friday, following a meeting with the governor, when the verification process will begin.
Despite concerns that people are being intimidated by political allies of government and the pro-port lobby into backing off from their support, campaigners are urging people to stand firm. The grassroots activists remain confident that even if some of the petition names cannot be verified or some turn out not to be qualified, they themselves have already verified more than enough to reach the constitutional requirement of 5,289 electors to trigger the national poll.
As a result, CNS understands that the campaigners will be seeking some form of court injunction to hold progress on the project and to prevent intimidation.
The PWD is advertising for three jobs in total. In addition to the cruise port senior project manager, the department is also seeking project managers for the new John Gray High School campus, which will cost $80 around million, and new judicial projects which includes the new courthouse facility and a new prison, which is expected to cost around $150 million. All three jobs carry the same salary range and benefits package.
The full job descriptions are expected to be posted on the government website here but in the meantime visit LinkedIn to see the details.
Category: development, Government Administration, Local News, Politics
The project will start in August. All businesses at the Port have been told that their leases will be up in August and all new potential businesses have been told the same. The reason for this is because of “the creation of the new berthing facilities.” I know this because I wanted to open a shop at the RWCT and that was what I was told and have the emails.
Hmmm…actually (further to my previous post), on second thought – there is a verification process at the time of national elections; when the voter’s identity is confirmed and cross-referenced with electoral list prior to being allowed to cast their ballot.
Nevertheless, the dismissive attitude of our elected officials to our country’s first people’s initiated referendum is downright shameful.
At a minimum, our government should be respecting the clear efforts of the community empowering themselves by way of our constitution.
Instead, they have chosen to tar and feather those in support of the cruise port referendum as political hopefuls and or compromised individuals, i.e. energised for personal and or financial motivations.
Personally, I believe we should have a referendum and a quick search will demonstrate me being one of the first to call for one on this forum – years ago.
I am not a political hopeful nor am I in any way affiliated with the cruise tender operators / owner. In fact, apart from a few posters back in the 90’s as part of an election campaign – I have never crossed paths with or seen the individual.
My primary reason is as this is a project of such magnitude, in a number of ways, it SHOULD NOT be decided by 10 – 11 individuals.
The people of Cayman should make this monumental decision.
If we go to the polls, say YES, it is built and it turns out to be a huge disaster – at least we did so together – and of course, vice versa.
It is a shame how Cayman’s morals, environment, brotherly spirit, and community cohesion is being ripped to shreds by the forces of politics and politricks.
We are better than this…at least we used to be.
– Whodatis
You clearly do not know Cayman Islands history if you think that this sort of divisiveness has not occurred before. The first proper port in George Town, the Master Ground Transportation Plan (MGTP) and the first modernization of ORIA to name a few. Ironically, the country is now implementing the MGTP some 30+ years later and at some 20+ times the cost including paying a billionaire to build a road to open up his own land. Oh, but we support it now that many of us are still suffering the impact from poor planning that those very clever and articulate opinon shapers convinced enough people was the right way to go. The same could be happening now with the port project.
Bracers did not try to oppose the modernization of their airport. They simply placed bets on whether it would be done.
“Verification process” they say, eh?
Interesting.
I trust everyone realizes this verification process put in place by our elected government (or constitution – it is the same either way) translates into the raising of the bar to a height higher than that of an actual national election.
Meaning, there is no “verification process” after we vote for the very people who are now demanding one for a people’s initiated referendum.
Meaning, the port is subject to far greater scrutiny than the individuals seeking to build it by any means necessary.
Sip on that stew for minute folks…
– Whodatis
*Now standing by for the moment when our (PPM / CDP / Independent) “Unity government” decides the proposed cruise berthing facility is not an issue of national importance.
**The only thing worse than a coward is a greedy, short-sighted coward.
Hmm, who sanctified you?
I thought the caymanian people wouldn’t have to pay nothing to build this port according to the government but we hiring project manager now..
It isn’t clear to me if that salary listed above is monthly or per year?
Yearly
And several other jobs posted with the same salary range, including Director of Public Library Services, and Crown Counsel. Perhaps you would like to speculate on what a Senior Crown Counsel is paid?
No petition signatures have been turned in and none have been verified by the elections office. Until that happens there is legally no petition and no reason for the government to stop moving forward. Just because a couple of political hopefuls get up on a stage does not mean the entire government must halt.
In my recent personal experience while the closing date is 17 June 2019, it will take months to select the final candidate giving ample time for the referendum petition to be verified. Provided that Government does not make a “permanent” hiring before the outcome of the referendum process there is no conflict. And before you jump all over Government for being slow, private sector companies are rarely faster for important positions and not just in Cayman (again I know this from recent personal experience). If the aim is to select the best candidate the first time around then there are no short cuts to investing the required time and attention. “Hasten slowly” !
This port is going to be good for our Country and move us ahead — We need it. It may be disruptive and messy at times and it will bring us progress and prosperity as a Country and every single person complaining on this forum who doesn’t get rolled over and slink back to the cold weather high taxation place they came from will enjoy the benefits of a more dynamic economy, that welcoming more cruise/cargo ships and shipments at lower prices. The port will allow for dynamism and growth and give us otions as a nation, that we don;t have today. We will live in a country of higher property prices, more people and more outside investment in our future. There are dozens of islands around our region with no infrastructure at all, and no-one willing to build it! If I was government I’d call a national emergency if I had to to get the port in. It’s vital to the Country’s future and the march beyond 100,000 residents. Many complaining on this forum just don’t know how good they have it and the most vocal of them are usually the ones leaving in 6 years, or those who lack the imagination to forecast how bad things could get if we stand still as Country and the others in our region grow against us.
Do you realize how retarded your comment is? Like a parrot you keep repeating this nonsense again and again. It speaks volumes about your benefactors. Don’t embarrass yourself, go fishing instead.
It’s a complete waste of time for Cayman to have a voter initiated referendum process.
Figure, if the referendum was on anything the government wanted to do, then the government would simply do it.
It is almost by definition that a voter initiated referendum would be on something the government opposed, or there would be no need for a voter initiated referendum.
So, no matter what the topic, the government is always going to oppose whatever it is, and is going to throw sand in the works to prevent it from happening.
The government is moving forward with this project. Period. There will be no vote. Or if there is a vote it will be long after the cost of breaking contracts to stop the project will be prohibitive.
Were you drunk writing this nonsense? Appears so unless you are an elementary school student.
It’s not a referendum that will stop this project. It will take thousands of persons
marching legally, ordely on a cruise ship day.That would be a good start. Otherwise Port is coming. Decision time!
which will cost $80 around million…sure that’s it.
People who know what they are doing earn at least twice that and would not even consider this job. Plus you need a team of at least three to do this right, over and above whatever help the PWD can provide (which could be a negative.)
oops!
yes – reads like a work permit renewal. They already have a qualified candidate (or two) at twice the salary from off island. Surprised they didn’t ask for 3 languages and 5 degrees
Once the destruction has occurred, there will be no going back. Cayman is becoming a concrete jungle. The coral reef will be no more. Hogsty Bay will disappear,Caymanians get ignored, and once again money talks
The fact that CIG is advertising for the position means that the job will not be awarded to someone locally. I am guessing CHEC or one of the cruise line stooges.
Are we meant to believe that WORC can’t find a Caymanian to fill this job?, shame on them.
Oh please…it’s out of their hands
Ha! Ha! My thoughts exactly! There must be at least 10 unemployed “born Cayman” port engineers available to do the job.
Ask the question in search for the honest truth, of why was the employment of the previous Port Project Engineer Mr. Vincent Iandoli, terminated without good reason when he had the best qualifications and experience you could ever wish to find for this project. Answer – Because he was strictly ethical and by the book in the prequal and tendering process. Shame on PWD and Govt. Ministers allowing this to happen. Note, The salary they are offering will never attract any interest for the qualification and experience the Government is seeking.
That’s over $200K Canadian. I think you are wrong.
And we want a Canadian?
So Aldart Dumbling Gang are going to incur additional salary cancellation fees scrambling to get a payCHEC!
Is that salary per year or monthly?
I thought this cruise port project wouldn’t cost the caymanian people any money to build. .
not to build….to cancel again and again
I can suggest a few extra requirements for the job spec:
‘The candidate must do what he/she is told by senior civil servants and their affiliated groups or face immediate dismissal.’
‘The candidate must be willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement in relation to the gifts he / she may see being passed to said senior civil servants during the duration of the project’
“Pension benefit of 12% of annual benefit.” Is that a typo.
CNS: “12% of annual salary” – follow the link to the job ad on LinkedIn.
That is standard for all civil servants. Pension is non-contributory meaning that government puts in the 6% for you plus the usual 6% from the employer.
there is no caymanian who can do this job.
There has never been any blue water marine project of this ambition and scale, anywhere on the planet, in the history of humanity, and for good reason. $85k to be the fall-guy when this regime falls, the backroom deals are revealed, and work stops.
You have obviously never been to sea.
10:04 am, you and the ones agreeing with you, know absolutely nothing about docks and never worked on ships travelling and docking in ports around the world, so you did not see or read about docks, so please read about docks before you print something like that, ok, thanks. Have a nice day.
By definition any port project is brown water rather than blue water, and if you want to compare this port project with others, no shortage of bigger and more complex ones. This is just a couple of piers with admittedly difficult geology and a cargo port makeover. But if you want a comparator, why don’t you use the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port. Phase one of that was meant to be $360m. Might find it has something else in common with Cayman, too 😉
Clement REID!
Spend spend spend and line those pockets…that’s this governments mission statement. It’s not brave it’s terrifying.
FIX THE DUMP!
That’s a lot of expected qualifications for not much remuneration. That position should command way more salary than that.
But. You get what you pay for so you can see how that’s going to go down..
Exactly why our all-knowing Cabinet should not be negotiating in a thought-vacuum. It’s easy to undercut pricing by going lighter and inferior on rebar or using the wrong cement can prob shave tens of millions, or skipping EIA and geological surveys. Our Cabinet are not experts in anything, most barely got their D-level high school passes.
EIA was done and the Minister already publicly announced several times that it will be updated after the preferred bidder is selected and before any binding contracts are signed. No skipping!
No because it will be going to a Chinese person who will be selected by CHEC
If it isn’t obvious by now the port is going to be built regardless of a referendum
Trust the process there will be legal challenges to stop the madness
One can only hope that the “leaders” who disregard the will of the people will be sent to prison.
Political Asassinations
If the referendum petition is verified to meet the 25% requirement then Government cannot and will not make any further binding commitments to the port until the outcome is known and then only if the referendum outcome does not block the port.
By law but they will try to find a way to circumnavigate the law. This set of politrikians are good at that.