One week after the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) opened bids submitted for the salvaging of the MV Barima, President Irfaan Ali said he has not been comprehensively briefed on the submissions.

The President made the disclosure as he addressed reporters on Monday.

“I have not been briefed comprehensively on the bidding, where they are with it, but I can assure you that I will ensure that I am briefed tonight, and I will have them, have that information, as to where we are with the bidding process, supplied to the press,” the President told reporters.

According to NPTAB, two local companies — BK International Inc. and Industrial Fabrication Inc. — and a Dutch company, KMS B.V., submitted bids for the salvaging of the vessel, which sank on July 18, killing more than 100 people, including 17 crew members.

The submitted bids range from approximately $1 billion to more than $2 billion.

A perusal of NPTAB’s website today did not indicate that an award had been made, nor was there any public announcement of a company being selected to salvage the sunken vessel.

On the issue of support for family members of victims and survivors of the tragedy, the President told reporters that through the HEART Initiative, more than 750 affected persons have received assistance.

“Structure assistance has been provided to more than 750 affected persons – these are children, parents, grandparents across Regions One to 10. The affected persons’ registry – the National Registry is 99% complete, the needs assessment is also 99% complete. Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and 10, and this is the needs assessment, immediate, medium and long term. As we said, the Government is in this for the long term,” the President reported.

He said the HEART Initiative Secretariat has provided financial assistance totaling $122.35 million to families of deceased persons, survivors and the families of those still missing so far.

Housing is also being provided to some of those affected, he said.

“The Ministry of Housing has approved 20 families for land and or turnkey homes, valued about $73.99 million,” he said.

Through the HEART Initiative, affected persons are also receiving psychosocial support, with social workers and psychologists assigned to families across the affected regions. The President said emphasis is also being placed on supporting children both at home and in school.

“We also have the legal team that has commenced work collectively and then individually with families, advising them on their rights, and also talking to them about how long term and immediate and medium term financial support, material support can also be structured especially where children are involved,” the President said.

Asked about the Commission of Inquiry and its work, President Ali said he has received a report on the work being done by the Commission of Inquiry, but he is still to study that report.

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