MC Restoration responds to complaints

Tom Moffitt

Friday,  January 14, 2005

In the face of continued speculation regarding the ‘ins and outs’ of MC Restoration’s local connections and the conditions of their contract, Tom Moffitt, one of the company’s major partners, has spoken out and categorically stated that none of the shareholders in MC Restoration are Caymanian.

“We don’t have any local shareholders in the company, neither Mark Scotland or Peter Campbell have anything to do with MC Restoration,” he said. 

He added that their only local connection was with the 200 plus local employees that were on MC Restoration’s payroll as of last Friday, (7 January) and 15-20 local sub-contractors the company was using here to fulfil its remit to clear Grand Cayman of the debris left as a result of Hurricane Ivan’s onslaught.

“We are pleased that we have been able to employ local residents and to sub-contract so many local firms. We are fulfilling all the terms of our contract and have nothing to hide, and we hope in the end our actions will speak louder than words,” said Mr Moffitt.”

Since beginning the clean up operation in November the US based firm has been dogged with controversy. Recently residents in the Spotts area raised grievances over the company using a temporary dumpsite by their properties, which had been designated by the Government-created Cayman Island’s Recovery Operations (CIRO), headed up by Orrett Connor. 

The company has also been criticised for bringing in equipment that contravened the conditions of the Local Companies Control License (LCCL).

Mr Moffitt defended his company’s position when he said that the original terms of the LCCL were unclear. “We wanted to help in the wake of Ivan as quickly as possible so we loaded containers with things we knew we would need but as we did not have the full details of the LCCL conditions, we couldn’t be sure what to leave in the US and what to bring. 

“As soon as we knew that certain equipment did not comply we ensured it was stored under supervised lock and key and we made arrangements to have it shipped back.”

The company was recently issued a deadline over the removal of the equipment and Mr Moffitt insists he has done everything possible to meet it, but owing to problems with shipping and congestion at the port the equipment has not yet left Grand Cayman.

In a letter to his attorneys to be forwarded to the Trade and Business Licensing Board dated 12 January, Mr Moffitt explained the situation that was preventing MC Restoration from removing the equipment from the Island, and assuring that the equipment was not being used; it was merely waiting on the first possible opportunity to leave.

Mr Moffitt also said since winning the contract his company had complied at every turn with the conditions, and his primary motivation is to do a good job in clearing up Grand Cayman.

“So far we have removed more than a third of the debris and we will complete the job well within the time frame of the contract. We have employed local people and sub-contractors and the fifteen or so employees we have here from the US are specialists, such as our environmentalists who ensure the work we do is eco-friendly, like recycling the vegetation as mulch, as well as ensuring chemicals and fuel from cars is re-claimed and treated properly.”

Mr Moffitt added he wanted to complete the job efficiently and with consideration for the residents of Grand Cayman.

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