Committee Studying Singapore Light Rail Project Proposal

Opposition leader Paul Bérenger questioned Bachoo about the new estimates of the project, if the financing options had been identified, the travel fare that will be offered to users, equipment selection, route and the land to be acquired.

The proposal of the Singaporean consultants is still being studied by a Due Diligence Committee (DDC). Bachoo said, “The contract for consultancy services has not yet been finalised with Singaporeans. Thus, no information is available on the study undertaken by the experts of the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE).”

The Singaporean state agency will submit the report in two weeks, according to Bachoo. He added that the information sought by Bérenger will only be known once the contract is executed.

He said: “The government is also enlisting the services of a high calibre mass transit expert from India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Agreement to ascertain the correctness of the exercise, and validate the methodology and findings of the DDC. If the findings of the DDC confirm that the value for money requirement is met, a contractual agreement will be concluded with SCE for the consultancy services.”

The minister also said that the delay on this project was mainly due to a failure in the Public Procurrement Act to cover agreements between the two countries. He recalled that the amendments had been incorporated in the Finance Bill passed in December 2011.