Calls for fair slice of Iraq contract work for NI

The Ulster Unionist MLA for Strangford, Tom Hamilton, has demanded that a fair slice of the lucrative Iraqi contracts to be handed out by USAid after the Iraq war, come to Northern Ireland.

With Northern Ireland soldiers heavily represented among the British Troops serving alongside the Americans in Iraq, Mr Hamilton said it was only fair that a decent slice of the initial £500 million reconstruction programme being managed by USAid comes to the Province.

He said: “After the Gulf War US companies scooped the most lucrative contracts and the British were largely cut out. I am glad to say that after a phone call from Patricia Hewitt, the Trade Secretary, that USAid agreed that British firms should not be sidelined this time.

“The work available included the rebuilding of schools and hospitals, managing the water supply, and reconstructing port facilities. The chances of our firms getting these contracts would be considerably enhanced if the British Government would underwrite the bids with back-up funding in the same way as the American Government doers for its firms,” said Mr Hamilton.

“In the past we in Britain were too polite about this sort of thing. We waited until hostilities ceased until we felt it was nice to apply for work contingent on the war. But we cannot afford to do this. The Americans are already in there pitching. Already, the Umm Qasr port contract has been given to one of the big American companies. We need to get these contracts to help offset the heft costs of the Iraq war. Chancellor Gordown Brown has set aside some £1,500 million for the war, and we should be looking to offset some post-war Iraq construction work against this huge bill," he added.

Mr Hamilton concluded by saying that the DETI should be calling together all Northern Ireland firms with a likely interest in rebuilding Iraq, and helping them mount bids not just for main contract work but for sub-contract work.

(MB)