Dear Editor,
Contractors have been complaining that they hardly get state contracts since the change in administration in August 2020. A select group of contractors have been getting almost all of the state contracts in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Some contractors get over four billion dollars annually. Some contractors have multiple companies. Experienced contractors who received multiple contracts for years prior to 2020 hardly get anything. Experience, competence, the lowest bid, and ability to get the job done efficiently and correctly are not used as criteria to award contracts. Religious background, friend, family, and association are now key determinants in getting a contract.
Since 2021, religion has become a key determinant in awarding government contracts. Another factor is family affiliation of the top government figure through kinship and or marriage. Friends of ranking government figures are also beneficiaries. Contracts have been given out to individuals with no experience in the area for which they were contracted. Government officials themselves and family members have companies that have been awarded large contracts in billions of dollars. Some have multiple companies.
Religious figures and business persons, with close affiliation with a high government functionary, have messaged that they will facilitate state businesses to companies who have not been successful in getting contracts if the owners convert to their faith. A radical religious figure on the West Coast, owner of a popular religious named restaurant, is guaranteeing government contracts to individuals willing to convert to his faith. He facilitates the conversion and intervenes in getting the contracts. That religious figure has been very active converting people to his religion. Several individuals on the West Bank and West Coast have converted and truth to the religious figure’s words are receiving contracts. The awarding of contracts is used to win over religious converts.
A businessman on the East Bank also commits to facilitating business from the state if individuals convert to his faith. Several business persons have converted and have been recipient of state contracts. Others have rebuffed the advice and offer and are paying the price of not being awarded contracts. More and more business people are converting in order to remain in business. Also, religious figures, using affiliation with a ranking government functionary and calling his name, have been allowed to proselytize at hospitals and prisons converting many patients and prisoners. Why is the official opposition and leaders of other faiths silent on the radicalization taking place in our country?
Yours truly,
Jerome Blackwell
