KPL staff likely to be givenwork by Whitemountain

KPL Utilities in Dungiven Co-Derry which has gone into administration. Picture Margaret McLaughlin © 21-2-14

It’s now likely KPL staff and specialist sub-contractors previously utilised by KPL Contracts will be engaged to carry out the work for Whitemountain.

Roads Minister Danny Kennedy said: “Following KPL Contracts entering administration on February 21, 2014, my Department has terminated the street lighting contracts held by KPL Contracts, as the company confirmed it could no longer honour the contracts.”

He explained that Whitemountain had originally just missed out on the award of the original contract, having come in second to KPL with its tender.

“To ensure fair and transparent procurement practice my Department has appointed Whitemountain as the successor contractor,” he explained.

“Whitemountain was in second position in the existing tender competitions and has confirmed it is likely to engage some former KPL staff and specialist sub-contractors previously utilised by KPL Contracts,” he added.

Meanwhile, Industry Minister Arlene Foster, said Invest NI was continuing to carry out conversations around the KPL situation.

“At present, my Department, through Invest NI, is continuing to liaise with a number of stakeholders and parties with interests in the ongoing issues at KPL Contracts,” she said.

“A number of ongoing conversations and recent enquiries direct to Invest NI may result in meetings with relevant businesses over the coming weeks and, as I have indicated previously, I am happy to engage with any of the relevant parties should this be deemed to be beneficial to ongoing negotiations,” she added.