Dear Editor, I am writing to express growing concern within our construction and infrastructure sector regarding the awarding of significant public contracts to local contractors who may lack the necessary experience and proven track record in delivering complex projects in the Cook Islands.

This trend is particularly troubling as it overlooks established local companies with years of demonstrated capability and commitment to our nation’s development.

Experienced local contractors have built a wealth of knowledge and expertise, understanding the unique challenges of our environment, logistics, and community needs. Their consistent delivery of quality projects has contributed significantly to our infrastructure landscape. However, recent patterns suggest that these seasoned professionals are being sidelined in favour of less experienced entities. 

This issue is not isolated. In the past, projects in the Northern Group were awarded to contractors without adequate local experience or capacity, leading to subpar outcomes and unmet objectives. Such decisions not only compromise the quality and reliability of infrastructure but also raise questions about the criteria used in the selection process.

Furthermore, there is a growing perception that personal and family connections between contractors and government officials may influence the awarding of contracts. While it’s essential to support local enterprises and encourage new businesses to enter the market, it’s equally important to ensure that public procurement processes are transparent, merit-based, and free from any form of favouritism.

To uphold the integrity of our infrastructure development and to ensure the best use of public funds, I urge the relevant authorities to:

• Review and reinforce procurement policies to prioritise experience, capacity, and past performance.
• Implement transparent evaluation criteria and processes that are publicly accessible. 
• Establish oversight mechanisms to monitor and audit contract awards and project outcomes.
• Ensure that capacity within the infrastructure sector is maintained by awarding projects to a range of local companies and contractors. 
• Consider opportunities for new businesses relevant to their experience to allow them to build capacity and create healthy competition.

By taking these steps, we can restore confidence in our public procurement system and ensure that infrastructure projects are executed efficiently, effectively, and in the best interest of our communities.

Sincerely,

Locals with experience

(Name and address supplied)