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• Hyvec Group justifies cost increase of over Rs 120 crore
In January 2024, after cancelling its contract for the new control tower project with Padco Ltd (which had gone into administration), Airports Mauritius Limited (AML) launched a new prequalification exercise. The exercise was then called for tender in May and two bidders responded: Hyvec Group and Nundun Gopee Co Ltd. Ultimately, the choice fell on the Hyvec Group. Despite its controversial and questionable financial record, the group continues to be considered for major government contracts. Furthermore, the Hyvec Group, while still awaiting formal communication to be awarded the contract, took the initiative to detail the reasons for the significant increase in the cost of the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport New Control Tower project, which increased from Rs. 600 million to over Rs. 1.2 billion.
Nundun Gopee Co Ltd has recently found itself at the centre of several controversies regarding the award of large public contracts. Nundun Gopee’s son, Vinash Gopee, received hundreds of millions of dollars from the Mauritius Investment Corporation and the National Bank of Mauritius, in addition to a large number of public contracts and state land, including Geometric Pas. The businessman was well-regarded by those in power, raising questions about the transparency and fairness of the distribution of these benefits. Land was even transferred from the Mauritius Post and another agency to Vinash Gopee, exacerbating concerns. This issue is particularly relevant to the case of Nundun Gopee Co Ltd.
It should be noted that the Anti-Money Laundering Act is not Public Procurement Law Surprisingly, however, the tender does not appear anywhere on the AML website, nor in the tender notice or tender categories. Open Tender There are several other projects mentioned there. It is clear that the two companies have experienced Selective biddingwhich may explain the lack of publicity for this tender.
On the other hand, the Hyvec Group, while still awaiting official communication, has taken the initiative to detail the reasons for the significant increase in the cost of the new control tower project. Hyvec Group said that in 2018, its bid was Rs 824.8 million, while the lowest bid was about Rs 600 million, an estimate that the company believes is unattainable. Hyvec believes that the tender is open to large contractors and any large contractor can submit a bid. Regarding the cost increase, Hyvec stressed that the foreign specialist subcontractor for the visual control room had offered $7.9 million or Rs 268.6 million in 2018 at an exchange rate of Rs 34.00 to $1. The same subcontractor appointed by Hyvec is currently offering $15.8 million or Rs 758.4 million (at an exchange rate of Rs 48 to $1).
Therefore, the difference amounted to Rs.489.8 crore. “Between 2018 and 2024, the U.S. dollar appreciated by 41.18%. Freight rates also increased significantly, from around $1,500 to $6,000.”Hyvec explained. In 2018, the cost of the electromechanical package provided by the specialist subcontractor was about Rs 92 million, and now it is about Rs 210 million, an increase of Rs 118 million.
Thus, according to Hyvec, the total increase in these two elements alone amounted to Rs 608 million, while the construction costs increased by more than 100% compared to 2018. Thus, in these detailed figures, Hyvec confirms that the control costs tower has doubled.
The AML website does not show any control tower tender information.
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