Following months of controversy, O'Briens International Car Sales and Rental is now in the process of clearing the 66 vehicles which are on the wharf for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
The contract for the supply of the vehicles, already a contentious issue, became the subject of even greater concern after it was revealed recently in Parliament's Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) that the car company had asked for a waiver on the duties before telling the government the vehicles would cost more than originally agreed.
The sixty vehicles on the wharf are to be handed over to the Ministry of National Security next week, just days ahead of the new year. This was disclosed by the attorney representing O'Briens', Mr. Abe Dabdoub.
Dabdoub told RJR News that he brokered a deal last week with the Ministry to clear the vehicles.
O'Briens was demanding more money for the vehicles, indicating that instead of 2012 cars, the government would be getting later models such as 2013, 2014 and 2015. However, Mr Dabdoub said he negotiated a settlement on the costs and that the Ministry submitted a purchase order, paving the way for the release of the vehicles from the wharf.
The attorney further disclosed that his client has paid the General Consumption Tax and Special Consumption Tax, which was another contentious issue.
There has been a dispute between O'Briens and government over the delivery of 200 vehicles for the JCF. The government had entered into a $426 million contract with the company for the vehicles to help boost the fleet of the JCF.
The company has delivered 30 so far and delivering the 66 on the wharf would bring its deliveries to 96. Another 104 vehicles are in Dubai waiting to be shipped to Jamaica. The government has paid more than $200 million to O'Briens, but has been forced to enter into contracts with other local dealers to purchase vehicles for the JCF.
Green light
Mr Dabdoub is reporting as well that O'Briens International is awaiting the green light from the Ministry of National Security on whether it should go ahead and import the other 104 pickups now in Dubai.
News recently emerged that the Ministry is considering whether to continue with the contract with O'Briens to import the remaining vehicles. Mr Dabdoub said the vehicles are ready to be shipped from Dubai within the next six weeks, but his client is awaiting the purchase order from the National Security Ministry.
Clement Ebanks, Managing Director of O'Briens International, is to appear before the Office of the Contractor General today, to answer more questions about the controversial motor vehicle contract. Mr Ebanks and his attorney Abe Dabdoub appeared before the OCG last Friday.
Mr Dabdoub said Mr Ebanks has been cooperating with the OCG and has submitted documents requested by the agency.
Contractor General Dirk Harrison summoned Mr Ebanks before the OCG following the controversy swirling around the $400-million contract.
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