Local firms should tender for NI Water contracts, says SDP’s Dallat

Local companies have been urged to tender for upcoming NI Water contracts worth £250 million by Northern Irish politician John Dallat.

Dallat, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, has been an outspoken critic of the water company in the past. He lambasted NI Water for a “poor record” in awarding contracts and for “appalling standards” of procurement procedures. 

“I would encourage any small and medium-sized business with an eye to obtaining part of this £250 million contract work to get in touch with the company to find out when open days are being organised and how they can go about getting on the list of potential contractors,” he said. 

Dallat’s comments come as a report this week criticised NI Water for its investigation of suspected “invoice slicing” within the company. It said the team NI Water assembled to investigate fraud was inexperienced after concern was raised that contractors had submitted bills below the value needed for authorisation.