Kellier says no nepotism in contracts awarded to his brother

Member of  Parliament for South St. James, Derrick Kellier, has declared that there was no nepotism in the award of  contracts in his constituency under the Constituency Development Fund, CDF.

Mr. Kellier, who is also the Minister of  Labour and Social Security, was responding to news that the contracts, which were awarded by the National Works Agency, NWA, are to be investigated by the Office of  the Contractor General, OCG.

One of  the companies that received contracts, M & K Heavy Equipment Hireage Company Limited, is 80 percent owned by a Martin Kellier.

Martin Kellier currently sits as the Peoples National Party Councillor for the Welcome Hall Division in the South St. James constituency and is the Minister's brother.

In an interview with our news centre last night MP Kellier said his brother's firm is registered with the National Contracts Commission, NCC, and was one of  several firms which he had recommended to be given work.

However, Mr. Kellier said he had no influence over the contract being issued to M & K as the final decision was made by the National Works Agency ( NWA)

The contract that was awarded to Martin Kellier's company was to carryout work in the Anchovy to Mount Horeb to Welcome Hall area.

The OCG is trying to find out whether procurement procedures, CDF guidelines as well as standards of  the Contractor General Act were complied with.