Contractors’ failure to deliver on projects will not be tolerated in 2014

MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud has sent contractors who are in the habit of not delivering on time strong warning that the ministry will not be tolerating such behaviour in 2014.The ultimatum, issued during a press briefing Monday at the ministry’s boardroom, Kingston, followed weeks of meetings between Local Government officials and said contractors countrywide, warning them of the consequences of having roll-over projects from 2013, and how they will affect those coming under the 2014 Budget.
Minister Persaud said the ministry has already met with contractors in Regions 3, 5 and 6, and is scheduled to have meetings with contractors in Regions 2, 4 and 10 shortly.
The purpose of those meetings, Minister Persaud said, is to urge contractors to pick up the pace, thereby ensuring the timely completion of projects. “For too long we have roll-over projects that are stretched out,” he emphasised.
As for those contractors who have been successful in winning awards for miscellaneous road projects in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, Minister Persaud said the ministry has already met with those in Regions 2, 5 and 6, and will be shortly meeting with those in Regions 4 and 10.
“The emphasis here is to get these road projects moving… Some of these contractors complete their works in a timely manner, and a few of them would start up the work, particularly taking off the top surface, and then leaving ponds to add to the discomfort of residents. We are not prepared to allow those things in 2014,” the minister said.