Contractors must deliver, president tells engineering conference

President Donald Ramotar reminded civil engineers about the importance of timely delivery in contractual works and the embarrassment government faces over tardy, substandard work that often comes at the cost of taxpayers’ money.
His reminder came at the third Engineering Conference held last week at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) that included a presentation entitled “Management – Common Ground between Southeast Louisiana and Guyana” by Steve Nelson from Stuart Consulting Group.

The country’s infrastructure, which the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration constantly argues, was in a state of disrepair prior to 1992 has, over the years, been given priority attention with large sums from the national budget allocated for its enhancement. The construction of new schools and repairs to existing ones, new health facilities, and housing schemes have improved access to the country’s social services, while efforts are ongoing to expand the  roadways.
Contracts are awarded via a tender process that the government often touts as open, transparent and unparalleled in the Caribbean, based on a rigid system that gives the Cabinet power only to offer a ‘no objection’ or if dissatisfied, appeal for a re-evaluation by the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration. The lowest qualified bidder is often awarded the publicly advertised contract with certain criteria that hold contractors to deadlines and penalties for delays, overruns and variations.
At a procurement symposium last year, President Ramotar, who declared a no-tolerance policy towards tardy contractors, told those involved in supplying goods and services to tighten their belts or be prepared to face penalties that would extend to their aides. Last year, the government was forced to terminate its contract with Fip Motilall of Synergy Holdings for failing to meet certain criteria under the terms of the award to complete the road leading to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) site, causing a major setback.
He told engineers at the conference that contractors who the government employs using taxpayers’ money must be made to perform and deliver what they are asked to do.
“While I have every respect for good contracting and good contractors… it is important for us in the government to have some capacity to safeguard ourselves and in so doing, we will help to have value for money in the many investments and plans we have ahead of us,” President Ramotar said.
The conference opened with safety, efficiency, quality, planning, and financing featuring prominently in the discussions. Presentations were made on the Maritime Administration Department strategies for enhancing maritime safety, maintenance and traffic management challenges; evolution of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA);  and the importance of spatial information for infrastructural development. (GINA)