TSTT shelves $49m call centre deal

Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago’s (TSTT’S) proposed $49 million contract for a Digital First Call Centre Solution has been abruptly shelved.

The proposed three-year arrangement, awarded to Humming Bird Holdings Ltd of Diego Martin, was halted amid concerns over the manner in which the procurement process was advanced and the award approved without first being brought before the board, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Responding to questions from the Sunday Express last Wednesday about the awarding of the contract to Humming Bird Holdings Ltd, and whether it had anything to do with the appointment of then-CEO Keino Cox not being renewed, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath said: “The board indicated that there were several reasons for not renewing his (Cox’s) acting appointment. This matter regarding the call centres was considered in their deliberations.”