Because of former Managing Director of Cayman Islands Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), Joey Ebanks, claim that he was asked to fix the bid for DECCO in order for them to be awarded the contract to them to generate 36MW of future power, it resulted in the ERA ordering an investigation into the tendering procedures that resulted in DECCO being awarded the contract.

DECCO was in competition with local energy provider CUC and a Texas based firm, Navasota Energy. Navasota has now got into the act by issuing a statement on Tuesday (9) saying the company was disturbed by the recent public disclosures alleging inappropriate behaviour by ERA officials.

Even though the ERA have instigated an inquiry Navasota has claimed this throws the fairness of the tender process into question.

Dan Hudson, President of Navasota, said, “We believe any investigation into the ERA should include all recent tenders and oversight of external tenders to ensure fairness.”

“Navasota wishes to offer its support to any public investigation of the ERA.,” he added. “Navasota believes that a public inquiry, chaired by someone independent, is in the best interests the people of the Cayman Islands and of the company. Navasota will assist in any manner that we can.

“If the investigation determines that a new tender process is warranted, Navasota Energy plans to support a renewed bidding process for the 36 MW Fossil RFP. Any renewed tender process must be scrupulously fair and would almost certainly have to be independently overseen”

He also said he stood by his January 2013 bid and his firm was committed to hiring as many Caymanians contractors as possible, including engineering, excavation, construction services, project materials and real estate on the project.