WITH funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through the Support for the Criminal Justice System, a Hope and Justice Centre will be constructed at Vergenoegen, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

On Tuesday, the Legal Affairs Ministry issued an invitation for bids for eligible and qualified contractors desirous of providing their service for construction of the facility.

The Hope and Justice Centre is expected to provide a wide range of services to persons experiencing violence, including legal and medical aid, counselling, and support with law enforcement.

The centre will function under the purview of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

The construction period is a minimum of nine (9) months from the start date.

Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures specified in the IDB’s Policies for the Procurement of Works and Goods financed by the IDB.

It is open to all bidders from eligible source countries as defined in the policies.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Procurement Officer – Support for the Criminal Justice System, at East Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown from 09:00hrs to 15:00hrs from Monday to Friday.

Bids must be delivered to the tender box of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) at the Ministry of Finance, Main and Urquhart Streets on or before 09:00hrs, Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

The Government of Guyana has received a US$8 million loan from the IDB for the criminal justice system support programme which seeks to address, among other issues, overcrowding in prisons.

Presently, reducing pre-trial detentions and increasing the use of alternative sentencing are some measures advocated for reducing prison overcrowding. (DPI)