Minister Edghill declares that there is no bias in awarding of gov’t contracts

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, has dismissed the view that government contracts
are being awarded to a particular section of society.
Edghill disclosed that the awarding of government contracts is done through a transparent,
accountable and fair process in keeping with the Public Procurement Act and Regulations.
Edghill sought to correct misconceptions at the recent signing of contracts totaling $5.57B to
construct and upgrade roads and bridges in the hinterland, and communities on the coast.
“Looking around this room, we have new contractors, we have experienced contractors, and we
have contractors from all races. So, this myth about only some people getting work is not
factual,” minister Edghill said. The minister pointed out that the government has a mandate to
ensure all Guyanese benefit from the transformation being undertaken throughout the country.
He said that it is for this reason, the government has taken leadership in ensuring local
contractors expand their capacity and are given a fair chance to bid for contracts for various
projects.
“If the government was careless or non-interested and this over $5B worth of works signed had
gone to foreign companies, international companies, you would have had to be labourers,
operators or sub-contractors with those companies,” Edghill related to the contractors. The public
works minister stressed that contractors must strive to ensure quality work since they are seen by
the government partners in development. The minister noted that the audit department and
engineers are being outfitted to conduct more scrutiny during the construction phase of projects.
“We want you to partner more with us, and with the residents within the communities these
projects are being executed in,” he declared.  He revealed that the government will continue to
execute its mandate with pride and dignity to ensure the people of Guyana are the beneficiaries
of the state’s resources.