Dear Editor

PLEASE permit me space in your newspaper to vent my anger and frustration with the current situation in Guyana as it relates to the awarding of contracts.

The company that I work for and am also a co-owner had, over the past few months, been under tremendous strain because of the way these matters have been handled by the Tender Board and the various ministries of Government.

My company has won a few contracts in the national competitive bidding process, but those were not awarded us. We primarily do work mostly in the electrical department, but work is being handed down to a prominent electrical company, even though that company has not tendered the lowest evaluated bid.

We have written to the Government on this issue, and were told it was a Tender Board matter. NPTAB, although having received written communication from us, never sent us a reply. Mr Editor, this situation is becoming more frustrating. We have a work force of 32 employees, and were recently forced to lay off 5. This other company enjoys the good grace of this current administration and all the various ministries, electrical works are being done by this company without tender. I know this Government means well in its pursuit of a fair and transparent economy, but how can we encourage foreign investors when gross irregularities such as contract awards like this happen every day? This only affects the nation as a whole, since only a select few are favoured by the administration.
Regards,
MICHAEL PERSAUD