A recent report that the Information Communication Technology (ICT) project is now expected to conclude by year-end, after missing its September deadline sends an urgent signal that something is wrong with the management of projects. The report states that three foreign companies have to be contracted to look at where local contractors went wrong in laying the cable and provide viable recommendations. After this aspect is completed the project would go back to tender. 

The Project Manager said there is nothing stopping these foreign companies from bidding for the project, since they had experience in the laying of fibre optic cable. Among several affected areas are Linden, and East Bank Demerara Public Road. The cables in Linden and East Bank Demerara were said to have been destroyed after they were installed and not as a result of poor works.
 
If the above is true, when did the project managers know that the affected areas were not being done right? Why were contracts awarded to contractors that had insufficient machinery and knowledge to do the job? Why not award contractors, not on simply the lowest bidder, but on known capabilities to do the specific job at a price that fairly approximates the cost determined by competent professionals? Why not employ one of the overseas companies to either advise or do the contract for work that requires special expertise before rather than after problems occur? Are we seeking outside professional advice on project requirements, instead of relying on local ones on a sound basis? Using the Evaluation and Review Board to help prevent the use of repeated poor contractor work and miss deadlines, as well as inadequate design, questionable bids and management oversight and administration. This is not a criticism of one individual or agency, but a concern with the overall system of project systems management in Guyana.